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California Property Tax Calculator

Estimate California property tax from assessed home value and local effective rate. California property tax is capped under Proposition 13 at 1% of assessed value plus local add-ons, making it lower than many other states.

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Formula

Annual Tax = Home Value x Property Tax Rate / 100

Multiply assessed value by your effective annual tax rate. Divide annual tax by 12 for monthly estimate. California rates typically range from 0.65% to 1.1% of assessed value.

Worked Example

Home value $800,000 and effective rate 0.71%. Step 1: Annual tax = $800,000 x 0.71 / 100 = $5,680 Step 2: Monthly = $5,680 / 12 = $473.33 Note: Assessed value in CA may differ from market value due to Prop 13 reassessment rules.

How California Property Tax Works Under Proposition 13

California property tax is uniquely shaped by Proposition 13 (1978), which caps the base tax rate at 1% of assessed value and limits annual assessment increases to 2% unless the property changes ownership.
  • The base rate is 1% of assessed value statewide, with local voter-approved bonds and levies adding 0.1% to 0.5% in most areas
  • Assessed value is set at purchase price and can only increase by a maximum of 2% per year, regardless of market appreciation
  • When a home sells, the new assessment resets to the purchase price, which can cause a significant tax increase for the buyer
  • Effective rates typically range from 0.65% to 1.1% depending on county and local bond measures
  • Homeowners may qualify for exemptions including the $7,000 homeowner exemption that reduces assessed value

Because of Prop 13, long-term California homeowners often pay far less in property tax than recent buyers of similar homes. This calculator uses the effective rate you enter, so adjust for your specific assessed value and local add-ons.

You can also calculate changes using our Texas Property Tax Calculator, Florida Property Tax Calculator, New York Property Tax Calculator or California Sales Tax Calculator by ZIP Code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the exact tax bill?

No. Actual property tax depends on your county assessed value (not market value), voter-approved bonds, local levies, exemptions, and parcel-specific assessments. Use this as a planning estimate.

Can I change the tax rate?

Yes. Enter your local effective rate from your most recent tax bill or county assessor website. Rates vary by county and city.

Why is California property tax lower than Texas?

Proposition 13 caps the base rate at 1% and limits annual reassessment increases to 2%. Texas has no such cap and relies heavily on property taxes due to having no state income tax, resulting in higher effective rates.

What happens to my property tax when I sell?

When the home sells, the new owner assessed value resets to the purchase price. This often results in a significant tax increase compared to what the previous owner was paying under Prop 13 protections.

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