California property tax calculator
Estimate your yearly property tax in any California county, and see how much a Prop 8 decline-in-value appeal could save you. Typical rates for Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside and more are filled in for you.
in lower property taxes
An estimate, not a promise. Your real savings depend on the evidence, your exemptions and your exact tax rate.
How California property tax works
Your bill is your assessed value times your total tax rate. Prop 13 sets the base rate at 1%. Local bonds and assessments add to it, so most totals are about 1.1% to 1.3%. Your assessed value can rise at most 2% a year until you sell or build, when it resets to market value.
That reset is why recent buyers often pay the most. If you bought near the 2021–2022 peak and values have since slipped, your assessed value may now be above what the home would sell for. A Prop 8 decline-in-value review can lower it until the market recovers. Most counties accept appeals from July 2 to November 30.
California property tax rates by county
| County | Typical total rate | Tax per $100,000 of value | Appeal deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | ~1.1–1.3% | $1,190 a year | November 30 |
| Riverside County | ~1.1–1.25% | $1,165 a year | November 30 |
| San Diego County | ~1.1–1.25% | $1,187 a year | November 30 |
| Orange County | ~1.0–1.15% | $1,066 a year | November 30 |
| San Bernardino County | ~1.1–1.2% | $1,133 a year | November 30 |
| Santa Clara County | ~1.15–1.3% | $1,205 a year | September 15, 2027 |
| Sacramento County | ~1.1–1.2% | $1,151 a year | November 30 |
| Alameda County | ~1.15–1.35% | $1,230 a year | September 15, 2027 |
| Contra Costa County | ~1.1–1.2% | $1,153 a year | November 30 |
Typical totals before exemptions. Your exact rate depends on your city, school district and special districts, and is printed on your tax bill.
California property tax questions
How is property tax calculated in California?
Your assessed value times your total tax rate. Prop 13 sets the base rate at 1%, and local voter-approved bonds and assessments add to it, so most totals land between about 1.1% and 1.3%. A home assessed at $800,000 with a 1.19% rate pays about $9,520 a year before exemptions.
How much can my assessed value go up each year?
Under Prop 13, your assessed value can rise at most 2% a year while you own the home. It is reset to market value when the property sells or when you add new construction.
What is a Prop 8 decline-in-value appeal?
If your property's market value on January 1 is lower than its assessed value, you can ask for a temporary reduction to market value. It is common for owners who bought near the 2021–2022 peak. The lower value lasts until the market recovers, and the assessor reviews it each year.
When is the California appeal deadline?
Most counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Sacramento and Contra Costa, accept appeals from July 2 to November 30. Eleven counties, including Santa Clara and Alameda, close September 15.
Does the homeowners' exemption lower my bill?
Yes, a little. It takes $7,000 off the assessed value of your main home, which saves roughly $70 to $90 a year. It is free to claim with your county assessor.
Will an appeal lower every charge on my bill?
No. Charges based on value drop when your value drops. Flat charges, such as some Mello-Roos and parcel taxes, stay the same.
What does Recoup Capital charge?
30% of what you save. Nothing if your value doesn't go down.
More: California appeal guide · How to appeal your property taxes in California · Prop 19 explained · Texas property tax calculator