California property tax by county

Same home, different county

On a $481,100 home (the typical county median in California), the annual property tax bill depends heavily on where you buy:

Estimate: purchase price × each county's effective rate. Actual bills depend on assessed value, local levies, and exemptions.

Lowest property tax rates in California

The five California counties with the lowest effective property tax rates, useful for buyers comparing total cost of ownership across the state.

Highest property tax rates in California

The five Californiacounties with the highest effective property tax rates. High rates often reflect strong school district funding or municipal services rather than weakness, but they materially change a buyer's monthly carrying cost.

California real estate transfer tax

California charges a combined transfer tax of about 0.11% of the purchase price. On a $481,100 home, that is roughly $529 in total.

State Documentary Transfer Tax is $0.55/$500 (0.11%), seller pays by custom. Charter cities impose significant additions: LA Measure ULA 4% on $5.4M–$10.9M / 5.5% over $10.9M (seller; thresholds adjust annually per CPI); SF graduated 0.5% to 6% seller (BUILD Act reductions proposed Feb 2026); Oakland 1.0–2.5%; Berkeley 1.5%+; Santa Monica Measure GS 0.3–5.6%; Culver City 0.45–4.0%; Richmond 0.7–3.0%.

Official California source → · Verified April 2026

Closing costs in California

Across California's 58 counties, buyer closing costs run $3,746 to $24,328 at each county's median home value with 20% down. Cash needed at closing, with closing costs and the down payment, runs $48,686 to $336,248. Pick your county for your own figures.