Monterey County, CA Property Tax: $4,782/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Monterey County is 0.66% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $723,100, that works out to about $4,772 per year, or $398 per month. Monterey County is located in southern California, with Salinas as its county seat, and is home to approximately 435,834 residents.
About Monterey County
Monterey County covers approximately 3,281.7 square miles in California. The county is home to about 435,834 residents living in roughly 144,659 housing units, of which 47.7% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $94,486, and the median home was built in 1975.
The county seat is Salinas. Monterey County borders Fresno County, Kings County, San Benito County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Cruz County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in California
Property taxes in California are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in California offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Monterey County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Monterey County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey County, CA | 0.66% | $723,100 | $4,772 |
| California state average | 0.71% | — | $5,134* |
| Fresno County | 0.75% | $362,600 | $2,704 |
| Kings County | 0.75% | $305,700 | $2,295 |
| San Benito County | 0.81% | $751,500 | $6,078 |
| San Luis Obispo County | 0.70% | $777,200 | $5,475 |
| Santa Cruz County | 0.62% | $1,015,200 | $6,305 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Monterey County's median home value of $723,100. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Monterey County's property tax rate compare to the rest of California?
At 0.66%, Monterey County is lower than the California state average of 0.71%. On a home at the county median of $723,100, that means about $4,772 per year — versus $5,134 at the state average rate, a difference of $362 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Monterey County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Monterey County?
For a home at the county median value of $723,100, the annual property tax in Monterey County is approximately $4,772 — or about $398 per month. For a home worth $1,084,650, expect around $7,159 per year. For a $1,446,200 home, approximately $9,545 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Monterey County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Monterey County are handled by the Monterey County Assessor's office in Salinas. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Monterey County?
California counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 0.66% shown here. Contact the Monterey County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File