Property Tax in Santa Clara County, California (2026)
Last reviewed:
| Area | Effective Rate | Tax on $300K Home | Tax on $500K Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara County, CA | 0.71% | $2130 | $3550 |
| California average | 0.71% | $2130 | $3550 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $3,300 | $5,500 |
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates, Tax Foundation, ATTOM Data Solutions
How Property Taxes Work in Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County, California applies an effective property tax rate of 0.71% to assessed home values. This is below the national average of 1.10%. On a home valued at the county median of $1.3828e+06, a homeowner pays approximately $9766 per year — or $813.8333333333334 per month.
Property taxes in California are administered at the county or municipal level. Rates reflect a millage rate applied to assessed value, which may be 50–100% of market value depending on local assessment practices. Many counties offer homestead exemptions, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions that can reduce the taxable assessed value — and therefore the effective rate shown above.
What Your Property Tax Funds
Property tax revenue in Santa Clara County funds local public schools, county government operations, road maintenance, emergency services (fire, EMS, police), parks, libraries, and other local services. The distribution among these uses varies by jurisdiction and year based on approved budgets and levies.
How to Appeal Your Assessment
If you believe your property is assessed above its fair market value, you can file an appeal with the Santa Clara County Assessor or Board of Review. Most jurisdictions have a formal appeals process with specific deadlines — typically 30–90 days after assessment notices are mailed. Successful appeals can meaningfully reduce your property tax bill for the current and future tax years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the property tax rate in Santa Clara County, California?
The effective property tax rate in Santa Clara County is 0.71% of assessed home value. On the median home value of $1.3828e+06, homeowners pay approximately $9766 per year. Your actual bill depends on your specific assessed value and any exemptions you qualify for.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Santa Clara County?
At the 0.71% effective rate, a $400,000 home in Santa Clara County would incur approximately $2840 per year in property taxes, or about $236 per month. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any home value.
How does Santa Clara County compare to the California state average?
Santa Clara County's 0.71% effective rate is equal to the California state average of 0.71%. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, it is below average.
Are there property tax exemptions available in Santa Clara County?
Most jurisdictions in California offer homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions. These can reduce your assessed value and lower your effective tax rate below the area average. Contact the Santa Clara County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions you qualify for and how to apply.