Property Tax in California by County
Homeowners in California pay a median of $4,926 a year in real estate taxes on a median home value of $695,400, according to the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023. The table below covers all 58 counties in the state for which the Census Bureau publishes figures. That state median is about 66% higher than the US median of $2,969.
Within California, the highest median tax bill is in Marin County, CA at $10,001, and the lowest is in Modoc County, CA at $1,445. The gap mostly reflects differences in home values and in the local rates set by counties, school districts and municipalities.
How do the counties compare with the nation? 32 of the 58 counties listed here sit above the US median bill of $2,969. Take the county medians themselves and the middle one is $3,190; the full range runs from $1,445 (Modoc County) up to $10,001 (Marin County).
Two reference points for the state's geography: Los Angeles County is California's most populous county with 9,848,406 residents, while San Bernardino County is the largest by land area at 20,068 square miles. Both appear in the table with their own median figures.
The state's population centres are Los Angeles County (9,848,406 residents; median tax $5,438 on a median value of $783,300), San Diego County (3,282,782; $5,542 on $791,600) and Orange County (3,164,063; $6,096 on $915,500).
California counties: median property tax
| County | Median tax paid | Median home value | Derived rate* | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marin County, CA | $10,001 | $1,390,000 | 0.72% | 258,765 |
| Santa Clara County, CA | $9,766 | $1,382,800 | 0.71% | 1,903,297 |
| San Francisco County, CA | $9,412 | $1,380,500 | 0.68% | 836,321 |
| San Mateo County, CA | $9,167 | $1,494,500 | 0.61% | 745,100 |
| Alameda County, CA | $8,061 | $1,057,400 | 0.76% | 1,651,949 |
| Contra Costa County, CA | $6,903 | $830,800 | 0.83% | 1,161,458 |
| Santa Cruz County, CA | $6,305 | $1,015,200 | 0.62% | 266,021 |
| Orange County, CA | $6,096 | $915,500 | 0.67% | 3,164,063 |
| San Benito County, CA | $6,078 | $751,500 | 0.81% | 66,056 |
| Napa County, CA | $5,840 | $838,800 | 0.70% | 136,070 |
| Placer County, CA | $5,600 | $658,800 | 0.85% | 412,435 |
| Sonoma County, CA | $5,580 | $779,000 | 0.72% | 485,642 |
| San Diego County, CA | $5,542 | $791,600 | 0.70% | 3,282,782 |
| San Luis Obispo County, CA | $5,475 | $777,200 | 0.70% | 281,486 |
| Los Angeles County, CA | $5,438 | $783,300 | 0.69% | 9,848,406 |
| Ventura County, CA | $5,326 | $768,400 | 0.69% | 838,259 |
| Santa Barbara County, CA | $4,870 | $735,700 | 0.66% | 443,975 |
| Monterey County, CA | $4,782 | $723,100 | 0.66% | 435,834 |
| Yolo County, CA | $4,567 | $593,800 | 0.77% | 217,782 |
| El Dorado County, CA | $4,510 | $640,500 | 0.70% | 192,299 |
| Nevada County, CA | $4,468 | $602,800 | 0.74% | 102,452 |
| Solano County, CA | $4,408 | $589,600 | 0.75% | 450,824 |
| Riverside County, CA | $4,189 | $510,300 | 0.82% | 2,449,909 |
| Mono County, CA | $3,936 | $514,300 | 0.77% | 13,169 |
| San Joaquin County, CA | $3,782 | $494,500 | 0.77% | 787,416 |
| Sacramento County, CA | $3,768 | $498,900 | 0.76% | 1,584,047 |
| Mendocino County, CA | $3,376 | $486,000 | 0.69% | 90,709 |
| San Bernardino County, CA | $3,346 | $475,000 | 0.70% | 2,187,816 |
| Alpine County, CA | $3,190 | $466,100 | 0.68% | 1,695 |
| Calaveras County, CA | $3,154 | $441,800 | 0.71% | 45,995 |
| Sutter County, CA | $3,111 | $399,400 | 0.78% | 98,971 |
| Stanislaus County, CA | $3,025 | $426,600 | 0.71% | 552,250 |
| Amador County, CA | $2,939 | $422,800 | 0.69% | 41,029 |
| Yuba County, CA | $2,865 | $380,000 | 0.75% | 83,079 |
| Kern County, CA | $2,833 | $310,600 | 0.91% | 910,433 |
| Butte County, CA | $2,819 | $408,700 | 0.69% | 209,470 |
| Tuolumne County, CA | $2,737 | $406,200 | 0.67% | 54,873 |
| Humboldt County, CA | $2,731 | $418,800 | 0.65% | 135,418 |
| Fresno County, CA | $2,704 | $362,600 | 0.75% | 1,012,152 |
| Sierra County, CA | $2,590 | $334,100 | 0.78% | 2,731 |
| Madera County, CA | $2,575 | $367,700 | 0.70% | 158,790 |
| Merced County, CA | $2,487 | $368,400 | 0.68% | 285,597 |
| Colusa County, CA | $2,481 | $375,100 | 0.66% | 21,895 |
| Shasta County, CA | $2,442 | $347,200 | 0.70% | 181,554 |
| Mariposa County, CA | $2,437 | $358,000 | 0.68% | 17,060 |
| Inyo County, CA | $2,392 | $338,400 | 0.71% | 18,803 |
| Plumas County, CA | $2,360 | $327,400 | 0.72% | 19,607 |
| Imperial County, CA | $2,348 | $279,500 | 0.84% | 179,319 |
| Kings County, CA | $2,295 | $305,700 | 0.75% | 152,830 |
| Lake County, CA | $2,295 | $316,800 | 0.72% | 68,139 |
| Tulare County, CA | $2,213 | $303,000 | 0.73% | 475,774 |
| Glenn County, CA | $2,190 | $338,400 | 0.65% | 28,623 |
| Tehama County, CA | $1,996 | $315,600 | 0.63% | 65,520 |
| Siskiyou County, CA | $1,880 | $284,500 | 0.66% | 43,834 |
| Del Norte County, CA | $1,872 | $319,600 | 0.59% | 27,293 |
| Lassen County, CA | $1,868 | $259,500 | 0.72% | 31,177 |
| Trinity County, CA | $1,772 | $329,000 | 0.54% | 15,886 |
| Modoc County, CA | $1,445 | $212,000 | 0.68% | 8,646 |
*Derived rate = median taxes paid ÷ median home value — an estimate from two survey medians, not an official rate. Counties in bold detail pages are linked; all figures: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023.
How assessment and appeals work in California
Property tax in California is administered locally. As in almost every state, the process starts with an assessment: a local assessor (in most places a county official) estimates the market value of your property. That value, minus any exemptions you qualify for — homestead exemptions are the most common — is multiplied by the combined rates of the local taxing districts where the property sits: typically the county, a municipality, a school district, and sometimes special districts such as fire or water districts.
If your assessment notice shows a value that looks too high, you can usually appeal. Start by asking the assessor's office for your property record card and checking it for simple errors — wrong square footage, an extra bathroom, a missed exemption. If the value still looks wrong, gather evidence: recent sales of similar homes nearby, or an independent appraisal. Appeals go to the local review board named on your notice, and the deadline on that notice controls — appeal windows are typically short.
One caution applies everywhere in California: the median figures on this page describe the typical owner-occupied household across the whole state. Your own bill depends on your assessed value, your exemptions, and your exact combination of local districts, so use these numbers as a benchmark and confirm specifics with your county assessor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median property tax in California?
The median real estate tax paid in California is $4,926 per year, on a median home value of $695,400 (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023).
Which California county has the highest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, Marin County has the highest median real estate taxes paid at $10,001 per year.
Which California county has the lowest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, Modoc County has the lowest median real estate taxes paid at $1,445 per year.
How do I appeal a property tax assessment in California?
Assessments in California are handled locally, usually by the county assessor or an equivalent local office. If you believe your assessed value is too high, request your property record card, check it for errors, and file an appeal with the local board named on your assessment notice before the deadline printed on that notice — appeal windows are short, often 30 to 90 days.