US Real Estate & Mortgage Research Analyst
Published: August 9, 2026 · Updated: August 9, 2026
Key Takeaways for California
- • Effective rate: 0.70% of owner-occupied home value (2024).
- • National rank: #32 highest of 50 states — in the middle of the national range.
- • Higher than 18 other states; 0.20 pts below the ~0.90% U.S. state average.
- • 2023 rate was 0.70% — unchanged year over year.
California's effective property tax rate on owner-occupied housing is 0.70%, making it in the middle of the national range. Because property taxes are levied locally, this state-level figure is a useful benchmark — but your county, city, and school district set the rate you actually pay.
Worked Example (Illustrative)
Annual Property Tax — California
0.70% × $350,000 (illustrative) = $2,450/year
That is about $204/month through escrow. The $350,000 figure is an example for comparison only — it is not California's median home value. Use your own assessed value for a real estimate.
How California Compares
The average U.S. state effective rate is about 0.90%. California sits below that line by 0.20 percentage points. Only 31 states levy more, and 18 levy less. Remember that effective rates hide local variation: within any state, urban counties or high-service school districts can owe far more than rural ones.
Estimate Your Own Bill
Use our free Property Tax Calculator with your assessed value and local rate, and read our Property Tax Guide for how assessments, appeals, and escrow work. See the full state-by-state table to compare California with neighbors.
Typical tax on California's median-priced home
$734,700 × 0.70% ≈ $5,143/year
Using the state median home value with California's effective rate. See the Median Home Value in California page for the full price breakdown and how it stacks up nationally.
Sources
Tax Foundation — Property Taxes by State and County, 2026 — https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/property-taxes-by-state/
Effective rates on owner-occupied housing, U.S. Census Bureau 2024 American Community Survey (datasets B25082, B25090).
Retrieved: 2026-08-09.
Explore More
- Property Tax by State — full table
- Property Tax Guide — how assessments, appeals, and escrow work.
- Median Home Value in California — see the typical tax on a median-priced home.
- Property Tax Calculator — estimate your own bill.
- Mortgage Payment Calculator — add tax to a full PITI payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the effective property tax rate in California?
Based on 2024 Census ACS data, California's effective property tax rate on owner-occupied homes is 0.70%, which ranks it #32 highest among the 50 states. This is the total residential tax paid divided by total owner-occupied home value — a rate that smooths out differences in home prices.
Why might my actual bill differ from this rate?
These are state-level effective rates. Your county, city, and school district set the specific millage, and local rules such as assessment ratios, homestead exemptions, senior or veteran abatements, and annual increase caps all change the final bill. Confirm the exact amount with your local assessor.
How do I estimate my own property tax?
Multiply your home's assessed value by the local tax rate. Using California's effective rate of 0.70% on an illustrative $350,000 home gives about $2,450 per year, or roughly $204 per month through escrow. For your real numbers, use our Property Tax Calculator and your assessor's rate.