California Property Tax

California Property Tax Rates by Major County

California's effective property tax rate varies significantly across counties despite Prop 13's statewide 2% annual cap on assessment increases. Newer homeowners in high-value areas often pay much more than longtime owners due to the assessment reset at purchase. Here's how property tax rates compare across California's most populous counties:

Sacramento Property Tax Rate

Sacramento County has an effective property tax rate of approximately 0.81%, slightly above the California state average of 0.71%. The Sacramento property tax rate applies to the city of Sacramento and surrounding areas including Elk Grove, Folsom, and Citrus Heights. With a median home value around $510,000 in Sacramento County, the typical homeowner pays roughly $4,130 in annual property tax before any exemptions.

Oakland (Alameda County) Property Tax Rate

Oakland is in Alameda County, which has an effective property tax rate of approximately 0.79%. Oakland property tax rates apply to all properties within city limits. Given Alameda County's median home value of around $1,055,000, the typical Oakland homeowner pays approximately $8,330 in annual property tax. Local school district assessments and Mello-Roos fees can add significantly to this base rate.

Ventura County Property Tax Rate

Ventura County's effective property tax rate is approximately 0.77%, very close to California's state average. The property tax rate in Ventura County applies to cities including Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, and Camarillo. With a median home value near $700,000, the typical Ventura County homeowner pays around $5,390 annually in property taxes.

Contra Costa County Property Tax Rate

The property tax rate in Contra Costa County averages 0.85%, one of the higher rates among California's major counties. Contra Costa includes cities like Concord, Richmond, Antioch, and Walnut Creek. With a median home value around $750,000, the typical homeowner in Contra Costa County pays approximately $6,375 in annual property tax. Local Mello-Roos districts can substantially increase the effective rate in newer subdivisions.

Irvine (Orange County) Property Tax Rate

Irvine is located in Orange County, California, with an effective property tax rate of approximately 0.78%. The property tax rate in Irvine, CA reflects Orange County's broader assessment, applied to one of California's highest median home values. With Irvine's median home value around $1,100,000, the typical Irvine homeowner pays approximately $8,580 in annual property tax. Mello-Roos special districts in newer Irvine developments (like Great Park Neighborhoods, Portola Springs, and Stonegate) can add $2,000-$5,000 annually on top of the base rate.

San Bernardino County Property Tax Rate

San Bernardino County has an effective property tax rate of approximately 0.81%, slightly above the California state average. The property tax rate in San Bernardino County applies to cities including San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, and Victorville. With a median home value around $440,000, the typical San Bernardino County homeowner pays approximately $3,560 annually in property tax. The county's lower home values compared to coastal California make it one of the more affordable Southern California regions for property tax.