California homeowners paid a median $5,124 a year in property tax, an effective rate of 0.70%. The lowest county is Trinity County (0.58%) and the highest is Kern County (0.88%) (Census 2020–2024).
0.94%United States
5 lowest-tax counties
5 highest-tax counties
All 58 California counties, lowest rate first
| # | County | Median tax | Median value | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trinity County | $1,888 | $325,800 | 0.58% |
| 2 | San Mateo County | $9,519 | $1,559,600 | 0.61% |
| 3 | Mariposa County | $2,377 | $387,900 | 0.61% |
| 4 | Del Norte County | $2,099 | $342,000 | 0.61% |
| 5 | Colusa County | $2,426 | $393,400 | 0.62% |
| 6 | Tehama County | $2,118 | $339,600 | 0.62% |
| 7 | Monterey County | $4,910 | $781,000 | 0.63% |
| 8 | Santa Cruz County | $6,538 | $1,027,500 | 0.64% |
| 9 | Siskiyou County | $1,973 | $309,500 | 0.64% |
| 10 | Humboldt County | $2,858 | $446,900 | 0.64% |
| 11 | Glenn County | $2,263 | $352,400 | 0.64% |
| 12 | Santa Barbara County | $5,103 | $790,700 | 0.65% |
| 13 | Mono County | $4,177 | $639,400 | 0.65% |
| 14 | Orange County | $6,330 | $962,600 | 0.66% |
| 15 | Tuolumne County | $2,864 | $433,200 | 0.66% |
| 16 | Marin County | $10,001 | $1,507,300 | 0.66% |
| 17 | Santa Clara County | $10,001 | $1,490,600 | 0.67% |
| 18 | Merced County | $2,634 | $391,800 | 0.67% |
| 19 | San Diego County | $5,774 | $854,700 | 0.68% |
| 20 | Ventura County | $5,574 | $822,700 | 0.68% |
| 21 | Los Angeles County | $5,675 | $834,200 | 0.68% |
| 22 | San Luis Obispo County | $5,636 | $824,700 | 0.68% |
| 23 | Sierra County | $2,279 | $331,900 | 0.69% |
| 24 | Napa County | $5,995 | $869,500 | 0.69% |
| 25 | Mendocino County | $3,545 | $512,200 | 0.69% |
| 26 | Shasta County | $2,542 | $366,400 | 0.69% |
| 27 | Modoc County | $1,561 | $224,700 | 0.69% |
| 28 | Butte County | $2,951 | $424,700 | 0.69% |
| 29 | Sonoma County | $5,695 | $815,500 | 0.70% |
| 30 | El Dorado County | $4,753 | $679,900 | 0.70% |
| 31 | San Bernardino County | $3,538 | $505,000 | 0.70% |
| 32 | Madera County | $2,756 | $393,200 | 0.70% |
| 33 | Tulare County | $2,318 | $330,100 | 0.70% |
| 34 | Plumas County | $2,537 | $360,200 | 0.70% |
| 35 | Amador County | $3,172 | $449,800 | 0.71% |
| 36 | San Francisco County | $9,862 | $1,394,500 | 0.71% |
| 37 | Stanislaus County | $3,216 | $450,100 | 0.71% |
| 38 | Lassen County | $1,923 | $265,300 | 0.72% |
| 39 | Calaveras County | $3,319 | $457,200 | 0.73% |
| 40 | Lake County | $2,369 | $324,300 | 0.73% |
| 41 | Sacramento County | $3,921 | $534,200 | 0.73% |
| 42 | Fresno County | $2,861 | $388,800 | 0.74% |
| 43 | Inyo County | $2,576 | $348,700 | 0.74% |
| 44 | Yuba County | $3,071 | $412,300 | 0.74% |
| 45 | San Joaquin County | $3,960 | $530,700 | 0.75% |
| 46 | Kings County | $2,425 | $324,300 | 0.75% |
| 47 | Solano County | $4,621 | $617,700 | 0.75% |
| 48 | Sutter County | $3,268 | $433,500 | 0.75% |
| 49 | Nevada County | $4,694 | $621,800 | 0.75% |
| 50 | Yolo County | $4,749 | $620,700 | 0.77% |
| 51 | Alpine County | $4,530 | $590,200 | 0.77% |
| 52 | Imperial County | $2,394 | $309,600 | 0.77% |
| 53 | Alameda County | $8,474 | $1,090,100 | 0.78% |
| 54 | Riverside County | $4,348 | $557,300 | 0.78% |
| 55 | San Benito County | $6,441 | $793,400 | 0.81% |
| 56 | Contra Costa County | $7,156 | $866,800 | 0.83% |
| 57 | Placer County | $5,812 | $688,100 | 0.84% |
| 58 | Kern County | $2,984 | $338,300 | 0.88% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, tables B25103 (median real estate taxes paid), B25077 (median home value), B25003, B25088, B19013 and B01003. These are 2020–2024 medians reported by owner-occupants, not 2026 tax bills or official mill rates. The effective rate here is median tax ÷ median home value. Actual bills depend on assessed value, exemptions (homestead, senior, veteran) and local levies. Check with your county assessor or treasurer. Not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
What county has the lowest property tax in California?
Trinity County, with a median effective rate of 0.58% ($1,888 median tax), per Census 2020–2024.
What county has the highest property tax in California?
Kern County at 0.88% ($2,984 median tax).
How much is property tax in California?
California homeowners paid a median $5,124 a year in property tax, an effective rate of 0.70%. The lowest county is Trinity County (0.58%) and the highest is Kern County (0.88%) (Census 2020–2024).