What is Prop 13 in California?

Prop 13 generally limits the base property tax levy to about 1% of assessed value plus voter-approved debt, and caps annual assessed value increases for existing owners. Purchase typically triggers reassessment near market value.

Where is the California Prop 13 property tax calculator?

Use the National Mortgage Center property tax calculator with California selected for Prop 13 baseline and county effective rate estimates.

What is the effective property tax rate in California?

California has an estimated effective property tax rate of 0.70% in this planning model.

Where can I compare county-level tax estimates in California?

Use the county/locality links on this page or open the property tax calculator filtered to California.

California Mortgage Snapshot

California Mortgage + Property Tax Snapshot (2026)

Name: California Mortgage Snapshot Data
Creator: National Mortgage Center

Compare California property tax context, FHA limit tier signals, and county-level navigation so you can plan financing scenarios faster.

Estimated Effective State Rate

0.70%

Sample Annual Tax on $425,000 Home

$2,975

FHA State Tier

Mixed Standard + High-Cost County Tier

County/Locality Pages

Open California Estimate Tool View FHA Limit Context

California Prop 13 Property Tax Calculator

Use our full California property tax calculator for a Prop 13 new-purchase baseline (~1% of price), county effective rates for major metros, and monthly escrow estimates.

Open California Property Tax Calculator California Board of Equalization

California mortgage planning context

Updated for 2026 data cycle

Property tax + FHA tier in one page

County links for deeper local estimates

Reviewed by mortgage professional

FHA Limit Tier Context in California

State Tier Signal

Some counties follow standard FHA limits while higher-cost counties may qualify for elevated FHA limits.

FHA 1-Unit Floor

$541,287

FHA 1-Unit Ceiling

$1,249,125

What Homebuyers in California Should Know

Lower effective property taxes can support payment flexibility in some scenarios.
Property tax treatment can vary based on purchase timing and local assessment rules.

California County and Locality Pages

Alameda County

Estimated effective rate: 0.80%

Contra Costa County

Estimated effective rate: 0.76%

Fresno County

Estimated effective rate: 0.87%

Kern County

Estimated effective rate: 0.95%

Los Angeles County

Estimated effective rate: 0.78%

Orange County

Estimated effective rate: 0.64%

Riverside County

Estimated effective rate: 0.90%

Sacramento County

Estimated effective rate: 0.83%

San Bernardino County

Estimated effective rate: 0.85%

San Diego County

Estimated effective rate: 0.72%

San Francisco County

Estimated effective rate: 0.61%

San Mateo County

Estimated effective rate: 0.66%

Santa Barbara County

Estimated effective rate: 0.68%

Santa Clara County

Estimated effective rate: 0.71%

Ventura County

Estimated effective rate: 0.74%

Related Planning Resources for California

California property tax estimate tool California FHA loan limit tier context Estimate monthly payment for your target price FHA program guide and qualification overview Compare FHA, conventional, and other loan options Get a personalized mortgage estimate

Need the National View?

Return to the national Property Tax Calculator to compare across states and scenarios.

Methodology and Data Sources

Tax Foundation Facts & Figures: Property Tax as Percent of Home Value - State-level effective property tax rates (Updated: 2026-02-19)
HUD/FHA Mortgagee Letter 2025-23 - 2026 FHA floor and high-cost ceiling frameworks (1-4 unit) (Updated: 2026-01-01)

Educational guidance only. Final loan terms and eligibility vary by county limits, credit, income, property profile, and lender guidelines.