Placer County, CA Property Tax: $5,600/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Placer County is 0.85% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $658,800, that works out to about $5,600 per year, or $467 per month. Placer County is located in central California, with Auburn as its county seat, and is home to approximately 412,435 residents.
About Placer County
Placer County covers approximately 1,407.1 square miles in California. The county is home to about 412,435 residents living in roughly 176,233 housing units, of which 65.5% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $114,678, and the median home was built in 1994.
The county seat is Auburn. Placer County borders El Dorado County, Nevada County, Sacramento County, Sutter County, Yuba 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 Placer County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Placer County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placer County, CA | 0.85% | $658,800 | $5,600 |
| California state average | 0.71% | — | $4,677* |
| El Dorado County | 0.70% | $640,500 | $4,510 |
| Nevada County | 0.74% | $602,800 | $4,468 |
| Sacramento County | 0.76% | $498,900 | $3,768 |
| Sutter County | 0.78% | $399,400 | $3,111 |
| Yuba County | 0.75% | $380,000 | $2,865 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Placer County's median home value of $658,800. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Placer County's property tax rate compare to the rest of California?
At 0.85%, Placer County is higher than the California state average of 0.71%. On a home at the county median of $658,800, that means about $5,600 per year — versus $4,677 at the state average rate, a difference of $923 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Placer County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Placer County?
For a home at the county median value of $658,800, the annual property tax in Placer County is approximately $5,600 — or about $467 per month. For a home worth $988,200, expect around $8,400 per year. For a $1,317,600 home, approximately $11,200 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Placer County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Placer County are handled by the Placer County Assessor's office in Auburn. 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 Placer 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 0.85% shown here. Contact the Placer 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