Effective rate
0.7%
20260.7% rateFree
California Property Tax Calculator
Estimate annual and monthly property tax in California using the 0.7% statewide effective rate (rank #32). Adjust home value, assessment ratio, and exemptions for a personalized figure.
Updated 2026-07-30
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
0.7%
Effective rate
#32
Rank
$2,800
$400k annual
$233
$400k monthly
Defaults mirror a $400,000 home at California's 0.7% effective rate with a 100% assessment ratio. Try $250k / $400k / $600k chips or add an exemption dollar amount.
California property tax
Home value, rate, and exemptions
California
Statewide effective rate 0.7% · rank #32
Effective rate
Statewide rates are Tax Foundation effective benchmarks (taxes paid ÷ home value)—not exact local millage. Educational estimate only.
Estimated annual property tax
$2,800
Estimated annual property tax of $2,800 using California's 0.7% statewide effective rate.
$233.33/mo0.7% usedCalifornia
Taxable assessed
$400,000
Assessed value
$400,000
Exemption applied
$0
vs US average
−$800
Cumulative (no inflation)
5 years
$14,000
10 years
$28,000
30 years
$84,000
Notes
- Statewide effective rates are Tax Foundation benchmarks (taxes paid ÷ owner-occupied housing value)—not your exact local millage.
- Assessment ratios, classifications, caps, and exemptions vary by locality; enter your assessor's figures when you have them.
- US average effective rate used for comparison: 0.9%.
- 5/10/30-year totals multiply annual tax with no inflation or levy growth.
Educational estimate: Statewide effective rates are benchmarks—not exact local millage. Confirm assessed value, levies, and exemptions with California local officials.
California property tax at a glance
US rank (highest first)
#32
$250k annual
$1,750
$400k annual
$2,800
$600k annual
$4,200
vs US avg ($400k)
−$800
California's 0.7% effective rate ranks #32 and sits below the ~0.9% US benchmark. On a $400,000 home, this model is about $800 per year lower than that average.
How to estimate California property tax
1
Confirm California's benchmark rate
California uses 0.7% in the Tax Foundation statewide table (rank #32).
2
Enter your home value
Use purchase price or a realistic market estimate for the property you are modeling.
3
Adjust assessment and exemptions
Change assessment ratio or subtract homestead/exemption dollars when you know them.
4
Review annual and multi-year totals
See monthly tax, comparison to the US average, and simple 5/10/30-year cumulative amounts for California.
California property tax examples ($250k–$600k)
Live estimates at 0.7% (rank #32) with a 100% assessment ratio and no exemption.
| Home value | Taxable assessed | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $250,000 | $1,750 | $145.83 |
| $400,000 | $400,000 | $2,800 | $233.33 |
| $600,000 | $600,000 | $4,200 | $350.00 |
$250,000 home
- Annual
- $1,750
- Monthly
- $146
$400,000 home
- Annual
- $2,800
- Monthly
- $233
$600,000 home
- Annual
- $4,200
- Monthly
- $350
Long-term cost on a $400k California home
Simple cumulative totals if the annual bill stayed near today's estimate—useful for ownership-horizon budgeting, not a forecast.
5-year total
$14,000
Simple total · no inflation
10-year total
$28,000
Simple total · no inflation
30-year total
$84,000
Simple total · no inflation
What drives your California property tax bill
Assessed value
Tax is applied to assessed value, which may be a fraction of market value. Use the assessment-ratio field when you know the local practice.
Local levies
School, city, county, and special districts stack. The 0.7% figure is a statewide effective average—not a single millage.
Exemptions & caps
Homestead, senior, veteran, and agricultural programs can shrink the taxable base. Assessment caps can also lag market prices after a purchase.
Reassessment timing
A sale or periodic revaluation can jump the bill. Budget with a post-purchase assessment in mind when shopping in California.
Practical tips before you buy in California
Pull the parcel record
Look up the address for current assessed value, exemptions on file, and last sale. Compare that to list price before you offer.
Ask for a tax estimate at closing
Lenders and title companies often quote a first-year escrow. Re-run this calculator with their assessed-value assumption.
Model monthly escrow
Divide annual tax by 12 for a rough escrow add-on to PITI. On a $400k California home, that is about $233.33/mo here.
Compare nearby states
If you are relocating, open related state calculators below—small rate gaps compound over a 10–30 year hold.
California property tax profile
California property tax by state
Rankings, FAQs, and homebuyer guidance for California
Related property tax calculators
Arkansas
0.56% effective
Colorado
0.5% effective
North Carolina
0.66% effective
Kentucky
0.74% effective
Washington
0.75% effective
Indiana
0.76% effective
New Mexico
0.63% effective
Florida
0.78% effective
California property tax FAQs
California's Tax Foundation statewide effective rate is 0.7%, ranking #32 from highest to lowest. It is a comparable benchmark—not every local millage. Use the calculator above with your home value for a dollar estimate.
At 0.7% with a 100% assessment ratio and no exemption, this calculator estimates about $2,800 per year ($233.33/mo).
About $1,750 annually ($145.83/mo) under the same statewide effective-rate assumptions.
About $4,200 per year ($350.00 monthly) before local assessment quirks and exemptions.
California's 0.7% rate is below the roughly 0.9% national benchmark used on this site. On a $400,000 taxable base, the annual gap vs that average is about $800 lower.
Often yes, when you qualify. Example: a $400,000 home with a $50,000 exemption models about $2,450/year here (taxable assessed $350,000). Confirm the exact program with the local assessor.
No. It is a statewide effective benchmark. County, city, school district, classification, caps, and exemptions can change your bill. Switch to a custom rate in the calculator if you have a tax bill percentage.
Start with expected purchase price, apply California's effective rate (or a local quote), then adjust assessment ratio and exemptions. Check the parcel record for post-sale assessed value and current district levies.
Often yes via escrow—the lender collects roughly 1/12 of the annual estimate with each payment. Confirm the escrow cushion and due dates with your lender and the local tax authority.
A simple (no-inflation) cumulative estimate is about $28,000 over 10 years, or $84,000 over 30 years, if the annual bill stayed near $2,800.
Most localities allow assessment appeals with deadlines after notices. Gather comps, inspection notes, and the assessor’s valuation method. This calculator helps budget; it does not file appeals.
No. This is an educational estimate using statewide effective rates. Verify assessed value, levies, and exemptions with California local officials before budgeting or closing.
Methodology
Estimates use the same engine as the hub calculator for 2026, applying California's 0.7% Tax Foundation effective rate to taxable assessed value. Not included: local millage detail, assessment caps, or inflation on multi-year totals. Always verify with the local assessor.
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