California Property Tax Calculator (2026)
The California median effective property tax rate is 0.7% for 2026 — median real-estate taxes paid divided by median home value (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024). On a $400,000 home that is about $2,800 a year (~$233 a month). California ranks #35 of 51 nationally. Enter your home value below for an instant estimate, then confirm the exact rate with your county.
What is the California property tax rate in 2026?
California's median effective property tax rate is 0.7%. On the state median home value of $734,700, the typical bill is about $5,124 a year.
How much is property tax on a $400,000 home in California?
About $2,800 a year, or roughly $233 a month, at the 0.7% median effective rate.
Where does California rank nationally?
California ranks #35 of 51 by median effective rate (1 = highest), near the middle of the national range. That is 0.24% below the 0.94% US average.
Is this my exact property tax bill?
No. Your county sets the millage and assessed value. This uses the state median; homestead, senior, and veteran exemptions can lower your bill.
How does property tax work in California?
California property tax is set locally, not by the state. Your county assessor values your home, then applies a local millage (tax) rate. Cities, school districts, and special districts each add a share.
Because rates vary by county, this page uses the California median effective rate of 0.7%. That is the median tax paid divided by the median home value, from the U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 2024). It is a benchmark, not your exact bill.
How much is property tax on a home in California?
| Home value | Rate (0.7%) | Annual tax | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | 0.7% | $1,400 | $117 |
| $400,000 | 0.7% | $2,800 | $233 |
| $734,700 (state median) | 0.7% | $5,124 | $427 |
| $750,000 | 0.7% | $5,250 | $438 |
How do you calculate California property tax by hand?
- Find your home's assessed value on your county notice.
- Apply your county's assessment ratio if it uses one.
- Multiply the taxable value by the local millage (tax) rate.
- For a quick estimate, multiply your home value by 0.7% (the California median effective rate).
What exemptions can lower your California property tax?
Most counties offer a homestead exemption on your primary home. Many add relief for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. These lower your taxable value, so your real rate is often below the median.
Rules and amounts vary by county and change over time. Check your county assessor for the exemptions you qualify for before relying on a figure.
Why is your actual California bill different from this estimate?
Three things move your bill away from the state median. Your county rate may be higher or lower than the median. Your assessed value can lag the market. And exemptions reduce the taxable amount.
Use this page to budget and compare. For the exact number, use your latest assessment notice and your county's current millage rate.
How does property tax vary by county in California?
Property tax in California is set and collected at the county level, so your rate depends on where you live. Across California's 58 counties, the effective rate ranges from 0.26% in Trinity County to 0.89% in Kern County. The table lists every county's effective rate, median home value, and median tax paid (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024).
| County | Effective rate | Median home value | Median tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda County | 0.76% | $1,090,100 | $8,474 |
| Alpine County | 0.55% | $590,200 | $4,530 |
| Amador County | 0.7% | $449,800 | $3,172 |
| Butte County | 0.71% | $424,700 | $2,951 |
| Calaveras County | 0.71% | $457,200 | $3,319 |
| Colusa County | 0.67% | $393,400 | $2,426 |
| Contra Costa County | 0.78% | $866,800 | $7,156 |
| Del Norte County | 0.49% | $342,000 | $2,099 |
| El Dorado County | 0.72% | $679,900 | $4,753 |
| Fresno County | 0.76% | $388,800 | $2,861 |
| Glenn County | 0.61% | $352,400 | $2,263 |
| Humboldt County | 0.62% | $446,900 | $2,858 |
| Imperial County | 0.83% | $309,600 | $2,394 |
| Inyo County | 0.59% | $348,700 | $2,576 |
| Kern County | 0.89% | $338,300 | $2,984 |
| Kings County | 0.75% | $324,300 | $2,425 |
| Lake County | 0.72% | $324,300 | $2,369 |
| Lassen County | 0.8% | $265,300 | $1,923 |
| Los Angeles County | 0.67% | $834,200 | $5,675 |
| Madera County | 0.69% | $393,200 | $2,756 |
| Marin County | 0.77% | $1,507,300 | $10,000 |
| Mariposa County | 0.58% | $387,900 | $2,377 |
| Mendocino County | 0.67% | $512,200 | $3,545 |
| Merced County | 0.67% | $391,800 | $2,634 |
| Modoc County | 0.68% | $224,700 | $1,561 |
| Mono County | 0.7% | $639,400 | $4,177 |
| Monterey County | 0.63% | $781,000 | $4,910 |
| Napa County | 0.6% | $869,500 | $5,995 |
| Nevada County | 0.73% | $621,800 | $4,694 |
| Orange County | 0.64% | $962,600 | $6,330 |
| Placer County | 0.79% | $688,100 | $5,812 |
| Plumas County | 0.69% | $360,200 | $2,537 |
| Riverside County | 0.83% | $557,300 | $4,348 |
| Sacramento County | 0.76% | $534,200 | $3,921 |
| San Benito County | 0.79% | $793,400 | $6,441 |
| San Bernardino County | 0.73% | $505,000 | $3,538 |
| San Diego County | 0.67% | $854,700 | $5,774 |
| San Francisco County | 0.72% | $1,394,500 | $9,862 |
| San Joaquin County | 0.79% | $530,700 | $3,960 |
| San Luis Obispo County | 0.64% | $824,700 | $5,636 |
| San Mateo County | 0.63% | $1,559,600 | $9,519 |
| Santa Barbara County | 0.59% | $790,700 | $5,103 |
| Santa Clara County | 0.68% | $1,490,600 | $10,000 |
| Santa Cruz County | 0.6% | $1,027,500 | $6,538 |
| Shasta County | 0.7% | $366,400 | $2,542 |
| Sierra County | 0.62% | $331,900 | $2,279 |
| Siskiyou County | 0.6% | $309,500 | $1,973 |
| Solano County | 0.78% | $617,700 | $4,621 |
| Sonoma County | 0.65% | $815,500 | $5,695 |
| Stanislaus County | 0.73% | $450,100 | $3,216 |
| Sutter County | 0.78% | $433,500 | $3,268 |
| Tehama County | 0.65% | $339,600 | $2,118 |
| Trinity County | 0.26% | $325,800 | $1,888 |
| Tulare County | 0.69% | $330,100 | $2,318 |
| Tuolumne County | 0.62% | $433,200 | $2,864 |
| Ventura County | 0.69% | $822,700 | $5,574 |
| Yolo County | 0.79% | $620,700 | $4,749 |
| Yuba County | 0.77% | $412,300 | $3,071 |