10 Counties with the Lowest Property Tax Rates in California
If you are comparing property taxes across California, these 10 counties have the lowest effective rates in the state. The lowest-rate county, Trinity County, comes in at 0.54% — 0.17% lower than the California average (0.71%). The statewide effective rate is 0.71%.
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| # | County | Effective Rate | Median Tax | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trinity County | 0.54% | $1,772 | $329,000 |
| 2 | Del Norte County | 0.59% | $1,872 | $319,600 |
| 3 | San Mateo County | 0.61% | $9,167 | $1,494,500 |
| 4 | Santa Cruz County | 0.62% | $6,305 | $1,015,200 |
| 5 | Tehama County | 0.63% | $1,996 | $315,600 |
| 6 | Glenn County | 0.65% | $2,190 | $338,400 |
| 7 | Humboldt County | 0.65% | $2,731 | $418,800 |
| 8 | Siskiyou County | 0.66% | $1,880 | $284,500 |
| 9 | Monterey County | 0.66% | $4,782 | $723,100 |
| 10 | Colusa County | 0.66% | $2,481 | $375,100 |
How this ranking is calculated
The effective property tax rate is the median annual property tax paid divided by the median home value in each county, expressed as a percentage. It is the most practical way to compare property tax burden between counties because it neutralizes differences in home values.
Counties with the lowest rates in California often share a few characteristics: higher home values that compress the percentage even when dollar taxes are high.
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