Property Tax in California
Homeowners in California paid a median of $5,369 in real estate taxes in 2024 on a median home value of $759,500 — an effective rate of 0.71%, below the U.S. rate of 0.89%.
Calculate California property tax for your home
Estimated property tax on homes in California
Applying the statewide effective rate of 0.707% to different home values. The last column compares with the same home at the U.S. effective rate.
| Home value | Annual tax | Monthly | vs U.S. rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $1,060 | $88.38 | −$274 |
| $250,000 | $1,768 | $147.29 | −$458 |
| $350,000 | $2,474 | $206.21 | −$640 |
| $500,000 | $3,535 | $294.58 | −$915 |
| $750,000 | $5,302 | $441.88 | −$1,372 |
| $760,000 (state median) | $5,373 | $447.77 | −$1,391 |
What it adds to a mortgage payment
On a home at the California median value of about $760,000, with 10% down and a 30-year loan at an example rate of 6.5%, principal and interest come to $4,323.35 a month and property tax adds $447.77 — about 9% of the combined payment, before insurance. Open this scenario in the mortgage calculator to add insurance, PMI and HOA dues.
How California compares
California has the 32nd-highest effective rate among the 50 states and DC. Its median bill is higher than in 44 other states and lower than in 6. States with the most similar effective rates: Virginia (0.71%), Kentucky (0.71%), Montana (0.69%), Indiana (0.74%).
Why your bill may differ
This is a statewide figure. Rates in California vary by county, city and school district, and your bill depends on your home’s assessed value and any exemptions you qualify for, such as a homestead exemption. Your county assessor or tax collector can give you the exact rate and assessment for a property. When buying, ask how the home will be reassessed after the sale rather than relying on the seller’s current bill.
About this data
Effective rate = median real estate taxes paid ÷ median value of owner-occupied housing units, from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates (tables B25103 and B25077). These are survey estimates with margins of error, and median taxes are top-coded at $10,000. Read more in property taxes explained.