Santa Clara County Property Tax Calculator (2026)
The Santa Clara County median effective property tax rate is 0.68% for 2026 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024), 0.02% below the California median of 0.7%. On a $400,000 home that is about $2,720 a year (~$227 a month). Santa Clara County property is assessed by the Santa Clara County Assessor. Enter your home value below for an instant estimate.
What is the Santa Clara County property tax rate in 2026?
Santa Clara County's median effective property tax rate is 0.68% (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024). The county median home is $1,490,600 with a median tax of about $10,000.
How much is property tax on a $400,000 home in Santa Clara County?
About $2,720 a year, or roughly $227 a month, at the 0.68% median effective rate before exemptions.
Who handles property tax in Santa Clara County?
The Santa Clara County Assessor sets your assessed value. The Santa Clara County Department of Tax and Collections (DTAC) collects the bill. Appeal by File a regular assessment appeal with the Clerk of the Board between July 2 and September 15.
When are Santa Clara County property taxes due?
Two installments: the first is due November 1 and delinquent after December 10; the second is due February 1 and delinquent after April 10.
Santa Clara County Property Tax Calculator (2026)
Rates updated 2026 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024). Live estimate — county median effective rate.
Santa Clara County's median effective property tax rate is 0.02% below the California median and the US average is 0.94%. Your assessed value, local millage, and exemptions (homestead, senior, veteran) will change the actual bill.
Who assesses and collects property tax in Santa Clara County?
In Santa Clara County, the Santa Clara County Assessor sets the assessed value of your home each year. The Santa Clara County Department of Tax and Collections (DTAC) issues the bill and collects payment. Assessment appeals are heard by the Santa Clara County Assessment Appeals Board (Clerk of the Board).
For your exact rate, exemptions, and account details, go to asr.santaclaracounty.gov — the official source for Santa Clara County. This page is an independent estimate, not a tax bill.
How much is property tax on a home in Santa Clara County?
At the Santa Clara County median effective rate of 0.68%, here is the estimated annual and monthly bill by home value. The county median home value is $1,490,600, with a median tax of about $10,000 a year.
| Home value | Rate (0.68%) | Annual tax | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | 0.68% | $1,360 | $113 |
| $400,000 | 0.68% | $2,720 | $227 |
| $1,490,600 (county median) | 0.68% | $10,000 | $833 |
| $750,000 | 0.68% | $5,100 | $425 |
When are Santa Clara County property taxes due, and when can you appeal?
Assessment (lien) date: January 1 (lien date); reassessed to market value on a change of ownership or new construction under Proposition 13. Proposition 13 — assessed value is the purchase price plus up to 2% inflation per year, reset only on sale or new construction (a supplemental assessment is issued for the change).
Payment: Two installments: the first is due November 1 and delinquent after December 10; the second is due February 1 and delinquent after April 10.
Appeal window: File a regular assessment appeal with the Clerk of the Board between July 2 and September 15. Missing it usually means accepting the assessed value for the year.
What exemptions can lower your Santa Clara County property tax?
| Exemption | Amount or rule |
|---|---|
| Homeowners' Exemption | $7,000 off assessed value (about $70/year); file by February 15 for the full amount, late claims get $5,600 |
| Disabled Veterans' Exemption | exempts a large share of assessed value for qualifying disabled veterans and surviving spouses |
| Proposition 19 base-value transfer | owners 55+, disabled, or wildfire/disaster victims can move their Prop 13 base value to a replacement home |
Amounts and eligibility change over time and are administered locally, so confirm what you qualify for with the Santa Clara County Assessor before relying on a figure.
How do you estimate your Santa Clara County property tax by hand?
- Find your home's assessed value on your latest notice from the Santa Clara County Assessor.
- Subtract any exemptions you qualify for, such as homestead, senior, or veteran relief.
- Multiply the remaining taxable value by your local combined tax rate.
- For a quick estimate, multiply your home value by 0.68% — the Santa Clara County median effective rate used above.
Which cities are in Santa Clara County, and what makes it different?
Santa Clara County includes San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Milpitas, Gilroy, among others. Rates differ between these cities and their school and special districts, so two homes of equal value can owe different amounts.
Santa Clara County (Silicon Valley) has some of the highest home values in the United States, so even at a low effective rate the dollar bills are large — the Census median is top-coded at $10,000+. Under Proposition 13 your bill tracks your purchase price, not the current market, so two identical homes can owe very different amounts. Some neighbourhoods add Mello-Roos special-district charges on top.