San Jose, CA Property Tax Calculator
Estimate property tax for a home in San Jose, CA. Homes in San Jose are assessed by Santa Clara County, where the effective property tax rate runs about 0.75% of market value — so a median-priced San Jose home of $1,400,000 generates roughly $10,500 in annual property tax. Enter your specific home value below for a custom estimate.
Annual Tax
$10,500
0.75% of $1,400,000
Monthly Tax
$875
Typically escrowed with your mortgage
State Rank
#36 of 51
Highest rate = #1
vs. National Average
Highest property tax states
- New Jersey2.49%
- Illinois2.23%
- New Hampshire2.18%
- Connecticut2.15%
- Vermont1.90%
Lowest property tax states
- Hawaii0.32%
- Alabama0.41%
- Colorado0.55%
- Louisiana0.56%
- District of Columbia0.57%
These are state-level averages. Individual counties and cities can vary significantly — a home in Austin's urban core may have a far higher effective rate than the Texas state average, for example. For the most accurate estimate, get the exact millage rate from your county assessor and override the rate field above.
How to use it
A two-minute guide.
The Home Value field is pre-filled with San Jose's median home value of $1,400,000. Override with your actual home's market value for a specific estimate — your tax bill scales linearly with home value.
The rate is pre-filled with Santa Clara County's effective rate of 0.75% — the county-level average for owner-occupied homes, which is more precise than California's statewide average of 0.75%. Individual school districts and special taxing zones within San Jose still shift the exact figure — if you know the rate from your latest tax bill, override it for the most precise estimate.
You'll see your estimated annual property tax, the monthly amount (which is typically escrowed with your mortgage payment), and a comparison to other states.
How it works
The math behind the result.
How San Jose's tax bill works out. Homes in San Jose are assessed and billed through Santa Clara County. The effective rate there averages about 0.75% of market value — right around California's statewide average. On San Jose's median home value of $1,400,000, that's approximately $10,500/year, or $875/month when escrowed with your mortgage.
How assessment works in California. Under Proposition 13, your home is assessed at its purchase price and the assessed value can rise at most 2% per year — so long-time owners often pay far below 1% of today's market value. The base tax rate is 1% plus local voter-approved bonds.
Exemptions worth claiming. The homeowner's exemption knocks $7,000 off assessed value on a primary residence. Prop 19 also lets homeowners 55+ transfer their low assessed value to a new home within California. Exemptions are the most common reason two identical San Jose homes pay different tax bills — make sure yours are on file with Santa Clara County.
What property tax actually pays for. In San Jose — like the rest of California — property tax funds local schools, public safety (police, fire), road maintenance, parks, libraries, and county government. Most of your bill stays in your county and school district.
Comparing to other states. Effective rates vary enormously across the US — from about 0.3% in Hawaii to nearly 2.5% in New Jersey. San Jose's 0.75% puts it in the lower third nationally.
Questions
Frequently asked.
Buying in San Jose? Estimate your full mortgage payment with our San Jose Mortgage Calculator. Or see how California property tax rates compare across the state with our California Property Tax Calculator.
Nearby & related
Property tax in other California cities
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