The 10 Counties With the Highest Property Taxes in California

Core Insights - California's effective property tax rate is 0.74%, lower than the national average of 0.99%, but high home values lead to substantial tax bills [1][2] - Proposition 13 caps property tax increases at 2% annually, but new buyers face taxes based on full market value, creating disparities in tax burdens across counties [1][2] Property Tax Overview - The median annual property tax in Marin County is the highest in California at $5,500, with a median home value of $1.47 million and an effective tax rate of 0.63% [2] - Santa Clara County has a median property tax of $4,694, with a median home value of $1.94 million, reflecting an effective rate of 0.75% [2] - San Mateo County, with the highest median home value over $2 million, has a median property tax of $4,424, showcasing the impact of Proposition 13 [2] County Rankings - Orange County ranks 10th with a median annual property tax of $3,404 and a median home value of $1.2 million [1] - Alameda County, home to Oakland and Berkeley, has a median property tax of $3,993, reflecting an effective rate of 1.21% [1] - San Francisco County has a median property tax of $4,311, driven by high home values and additional voter-approved bonds [1][2]