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Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California Property Taxes

  • Median Santa Maria, CA effective property tax rate: 1.11%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the California state median of 1.21%.

  • Median Santa Maria, CA home value: $322,379

  • Median annual Santa Maria, CA tax bill: $3,804, $1,404 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Santa Barbara calculated?

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

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.11%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$3,578

$3,321

SAVE WITH OWNWELL

$1,102

Average Tax Savings

Ownwell’s Santa Maria Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Santa Maria with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Santa Maria’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 Santa Barbara County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California

Local government entities are responsible for setting tax rates, which can vary significantly within California. This variation is due to each county estimating its required budget to provide essential services and dividing that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation determines the property tax rate. Although votes and laws play a role in setting these rates and budgets, this is the core process followed annually.

In Santa Maria, located in Santa Barbara County, the effective property tax rate reflects this process. Comparing Santa Maria’s property tax rate to other cities in California, it is evident that rates can differ even within the same county. The median property tax rate in California is slightly above the national median, indicating a higher tax burden on property owners compared to the national average.

Understanding these rates and how they are determined can help property owners in Santa Maria better anticipate their annual tax responsibilities and explore potential avenues for appeals or exemptions, ensuring they only pay their fair share.

Property Tax Rates Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California

Source: Ownwell

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0.91%

1.12%

1.33%

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 Santa Maria Tax Rate

1.11%

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 Santa Barbara County Tax Rate

1.09%

Median Effective California Tax Rate

1.21%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Tax Rate75th Percentile90th Percentile
934540.93%1.06%1.09%1.10%1.16%
934551.08%1.13%1.33%1.46%1.69%
934580.92%1.06%1.09%1.16%1.23%
93434N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California

When examining property taxes in Santa Maria, 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 Santa Barbara 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. In Santa Barbara County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the season. 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. For example, the median home price in Santa Maria is $322,379, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. The 93455 zip code has the highest median home price at $371,833.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California

Source: Ownwell

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$33,414

$1,094,682

$2,155,949

Median Santa Maria Market Value

$322,379

Median Santa Barbara County Market Value

$420,000

Median California Market Value

$378,421

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Home Price75th Percentile90th Percentile
93454$112,612$191,836$291,490$415,306$525,120
93455$104,574$235,398$371,833$519,479$656,184
93458$56,043$172,006$282,544$405,932$490,132
93434N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California

In Santa Maria, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of the property, which is determined by the Santa Barbara County Assessor's Office. This assessed value is then multiplied by the local tax rate to calculate the annual tax bill. Factors such as property improvements and market conditions can influence the assessed value. Homeowners in Santa Maria experience a range of tax bills, with the 25th percentile at $2,338 and the 75th percentile at $5,354, reflecting the variability in property values and tax rates. The national median property tax rate is 1.02%, while Santa Maria's figures highlight the local nuances. For instance, the highest median tax bill in the area is $4,721 in the 93455 zip code. Homeowners can feel the financial impact of these taxes, but Ownwell offers a solution. By leveraging its expertise, Ownwell helps homeowners navigate the appeal process, potentially lowering their assessed values and, consequently, their tax bills. This service can lead to significant savings, easing the financial burden on homeowners.

Property Tax Bills Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California

Source: Ownwell

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$278

$11,174

$22,070

Median Santa Maria Tax Bill

$3,804

Median Santa Barbara County Tax Bill

$4,701

Median California Tax Bill

$4,683

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Tax Bill75th Percentile90th Percentile
93454$831$1,980$3,042$4,408$5,592
93455$1,994$3,304$4,721$6,316$8,049
93458$555$1,809$3,019$4,574$5,575
93434N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A

Source: Ownwell

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