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
$1,102
Average Tax Savings
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

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
Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
93434 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
93454 | 0.93% | 1.06% | 1.09% | 1.10% | 1.16% |
93455 | 1.08% | 1.13% | 1.33% | 1.46% | 1.69% |
93458 | 0.92% | 1.06% | 1.09% | 1.16% | 1.23% |
Source: Ownwell
$1,102
Average Santa Maria Tax Savings
Save on your property taxes & more with Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California
Source: Ownwell

$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
Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
93434 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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 |
Source: Ownwell
$1,102
Average Santa Maria Tax Savings
Save on your property taxes & more with Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California
Source: Ownwell

$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
Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
93434 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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 |
Source: Ownwell
$1,102
Average Santa Maria Tax Savings
Save on your property taxes & more with Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
---|---|
Property Valuation Date | January 1 |
Appeal Deadline | December 1 |
Tax Bill | |
Issued | October 1 |
Due Date #1 | December 10 |
Due Date #2 | April 10 |
Links | |
---|---|
Santa Barbara Tax Assessor | |
Website | www.sbcvote.com |
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