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Foster City, San Mateo County, California Property Taxes

  • Median Foster City, CA effective property tax rate: 1.20%, slightly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the California state median of 1.21%.

  • Median Foster City, CA home value: $750,862

  • Median annual Foster City, CA tax bill: $9,050, $6,650 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in San Mateo calculated?

Property taxes in Foster City, CA are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.

Understanding Foster City’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Foster City, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Foster City, San Mateo County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.2%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$9,010

$8,361

SAVE WITH OWNWELL

$1,102

Average Tax Savings

Ownwell’s Foster City Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Foster City with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Foster City’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in San Mateo County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Foster City, San Mateo County, California

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Why? Because each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process. Foster City in San Mateo County, CA, has an effective property tax rate of 1.20%, which is above the national median of 1.02%. This higher rate reflects the county's budgetary needs and the value of properties in the area. When comparing Foster City's rate to other cities in California, it aligns with the state's median, emphasizing the region's commitment to funding local services. Despite being higher than the national median, the rate supports essential services and infrastructure, contributing to the community's quality of life. This comparison highlights the importance of understanding local tax rates and how they impact property owners.

Property Tax Rates Across Foster City, San Mateo County, California

Source: Ownwell

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1.08%

1.30%

1.52%

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.

Median Effective Foster City Tax Rate

1.20%

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.

Median Effective San Mateo County Tax Rate

1.26%

Median Effective California Tax Rate

1.21%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Foster City, San Mateo County, California

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Tax Rate75th Percentile90th Percentile
944041.15%1.19%1.20%1.24%1.31%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Foster City, San Mateo County, California

When examining property taxes in Foster City, CA, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The San Mateo County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill. Assessment notices: In San Mateo County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Foster City. For example, the median home price in Foster City is $750,862, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 94404 has the highest median home price at $750,862.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Foster City, San Mateo County, California

Source: Ownwell

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$377,686

$1,981,044

$3,584,402

Median Foster City Market Value

$750,862

Median San Mateo County Market Value

$685,382

Median California Market Value

$378,421

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Foster City, San Mateo County, California

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Home Price75th Percentile90th Percentile
94404$206,780$427,334$750,862$1,197,584$1,640,467

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Foster City, San Mateo County, California

In Foster City, located in San Mateo County, CA, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the county assessor. This assessed value is then multiplied by the local property tax rate to determine the annual tax bill. In Foster City, the property tax bills can vary significantly, with the 25th percentile at $5,257 and the 75th percentile reaching $14,205. The highest median tax bill in the area is $9,050, found in the 94404 zip code. These figures are considerably higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400, reflecting the region's elevated property values and tax rates. Homeowners in Foster City can face substantial financial burdens due to these high property taxes. However, Ownwell can assist by providing property tax appeal services, potentially lowering the assessed value of a home and, consequently, the tax bill. This service can offer significant savings and alleviate the financial pressure on homeowners.

Property Tax Bills Across Foster City, San Mateo County, California

Source: Ownwell

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$4,534

$22,825

$41,115

Median Foster City Tax Bill

$9,050

Median San Mateo County Tax Bill

$8,692

Median California Tax Bill

$4,683

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Foster City, San Mateo County, California

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Tax Bill75th Percentile90th Percentile
94404$2,666$5,257$9,050$14,205$19,298

Source: Ownwell

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