San Diego County Property Tax Calculator
San Diego County's property tax bill follows the same Proposition 13 framework as the rest of California: the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk ties an assessed figure to your purchase date, with growth capped by statute until the property changes hands again. Coastal and inland communities across the county can carry very different market values, which is one reason the underlying assessed value matters more here than any single county-wide rate. Above, choose San Diego County and enter a home value to preview a typical annual bill.
Annual Property Tax
$5,726Monthly (Escrow)
$477Effective Rate
0.67%San Diego County's effective rate (0.67%) is 4% lower than the California average (0.70%).
Edit inputs ↑San Diego County Effective Rate
0.67%
Vs. California Average
4% lower
California National Rank
#32 of 51
1 = highest statewide rate
County Median Home Value
$854,700
Estimated Annual Tax (Median Home)
$5,726
Monthly Equivalent
$477
Property tax in San Diego County, California
- The Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk's office establishes assessed value at time of purchase, then applies Proposition 13's capped annual increase going forward.
- New construction or a change in ownership can trigger a fresh assessment at current market value, resetting the growth cap from that point.
- Property owners who think their assessed value overstates the market can request an informal review, or take their case straight to the county assessment appeals board.
- Owner-occupants can also claim the homeowners' exemption, which trims a further slice off taxable value beyond the Proposition 13 cap.
Other large California counties
Effective rate = aggregate real-estate taxes paid ÷ aggregate home value (ACS 2024 5-year).
| County | Effective Rate | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | 0.67% | $834,200 |
| Orange County | 0.64% | $962,600 |
| Riverside County | 0.83% | $557,300 |
| San Bernardino County | 0.73% | $505,000 |
| Santa Clara County | 0.68% | $1,490,600 |
| Alameda County | 0.76% | $1,090,100 |
| Sacramento County | 0.76% | $534,200 |
| Contra Costa County | 0.78% | $866,800 |
| Kern County | 0.89% | $338,300 |
| Imperial County | 0.83% | $309,600 |
See property tax across every county in California at the California property tax calculator , or check your California income tax with the California income tax calculator .
Frequently asked questions
How is property tax calculated in San Diego County?
The Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk assigns your property an assessed value under Proposition 13, and that value — not necessarily today's market price — is what local tax rates apply against. Because assessed value grows slowly and resets on sale, two similar homes bought years apart can owe very different amounts.
How do I appeal my San Diego County property assessment?
You can request an informal review directly with the assessor's office, or take the dispute straight to the county assessment appeals board within the filing period, backing your case with recent comparable sales. Many disagreements are resolved at the informal stage without needing a hearing.
Does San Diego County offer a homestead exemption?
California's homeowners' exemption applies here, trimming a modest amount off what's taxable for an owner-occupied home before local rates are billed. That's separate from, and layers atop, Proposition 13's own limit on year-over-year growth.
Will my San Diego County tax bill rise if home prices go up?
Not directly — your assessed value is capped under Proposition 13 regardless of how fast market prices rise, so a hot coastal market doesn't translate into a matching jump in your bill unless you sell, buy, or complete substantial new construction. Rising prices mainly affect what a buyer inherits as their new assessed value.
Sources
Related insights
Use these guides for rule explanations, planning context, and follow-up questions beyond the calculator result.