The rate in context
On a $400,000 home, 0.70% means roughly $2,800 per year in property tax, escrowed monthly, so it lands directly in your payment and your debt-to-income ratio.
Exemptions and notes
Proposition 13 sets assessed value at purchase price plus at most 2% per year, so longtime owners pay far below market-based bills; value resets to market at sale. The base rate is about 1% plus voter-approved local bonds.
Sources: Tax Foundation 2026 (2024 ACS); NAR/NCSL transfer tax table. County-level rates vary; your county page has local detail.
Counties in California
FAQ
What is the average property tax rate in California?
The average effective property tax rate in California is about 0.70%, per Tax Foundation 2026 (2024 ACS); NAR/NCSL transfer tax table. Individual counties vary above and below that average.
How do California property taxes affect my mortgage?
Taxes are escrowed into your monthly payment, so a higher rate directly reduces how much house you qualify for. Proposition 13 sets assessed value at purchase price plus at most 2% per year, so longtime owners pay far below market-based bills; value resets to market at sale. The base rate is about 1% plus voter-approved local bonds.