Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California Property Taxes
Median Palo Alto, CA effective property tax rate: 1.22%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Palo Alto, CA home value: $1,204,880
Median annual Palo Alto, CA tax bill: $14,364, $11,964 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Clara calculated?
Property taxes in Palo Alto, 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 Palo Alto’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Palo Alto, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.22%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$14,700
$13,641
$1,102
Average Tax Savings
Property Tax Rates Across Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California
Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. 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.
In Palo Alto, located in Santa Clara County, the property tax landscape reflects these variations. The effective property tax rate in Palo Alto is slightly above the national median of 1.02%, aligning more closely with the state’s median rate of 1.22%. Within Santa Clara County, Palo Alto's tax rate is competitive, with nearby zip codes like 94303 and 94304 having marginally different rates. This means homeowners in Palo Alto can expect their property tax bills to be higher than the national median bill of $2,400, reflecting the area's higher property values and the county's budgetary needs. Comparing Palo Alto to other cities in California, it becomes evident how local budgets and property values influence the property tax rates residents face.
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 Palo Alto Tax Rate
1.22%
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 Clara County Tax Rate
1.31%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94301 | 1.17% | 1.18% | 1.21% | 1.27% | 1.42% |
| 94303 | 1.17% | 1.20% | 1.23% | 1.30% | 1.52% |
| 94304 | 1.17% | 1.19% | 1.21% | 1.51% | 1.61% |
| 94306 | 1.17% | 1.20% | 1.23% | 1.30% | 1.51% |
| 94025 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 94305 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
$1,102
Average Palo Alto Tax Savings
Save on your property taxes & more with Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California
When examining property taxes in Palo Alto, 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 Clara 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 Santa Clara County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April. 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 Palo Alto.
For example, the median home price in Palo Alto is $1,204,880, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 94301 has the highest median home price at $1,594,416.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California
Source: Ownwell
$225,198
$1,529,133
$2,833,068
Median Palo Alto Market Value
$1,204,880
Median Santa Clara County Market Value
$683,381
Median California Market Value
$378,421
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94301 | $243,569 | $705,788 | $1,594,416 | $3,299,816 | $5,336,755 |
| 94303 | $153,368 | $508,413 | $1,106,204 | $2,160,098 | $3,241,232 |
| 94304 | $771,928 | $1,180,000 | $1,360,000 | $3,333,258 | $4,248,026 |
| 94306 | $148,556 | $445,633 | $1,078,312 | $2,066,402 | $3,194,136 |
| 94025 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 94305 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
$1,102
Average Palo Alto Tax Savings
Save on your property taxes & more with Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California
Property Tax Bills Across Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California
Source: Ownwell
$2,590
$17,875
$33,160
Median Palo Alto Tax Bill
$14,364
Median Santa Clara County Tax Bill
$8,895
Median California Tax Bill
$4,683
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94301 | $3,222 | $8,517 | $18,959 | $37,800 | $61,499 |
| 94303 | $2,332 | $6,047 | $13,289 | $24,664 | $37,964 |
| 94304 | $9,463 | $17,127 | $20,652 | $39,635 | $50,349 |
| 94306 | $2,295 | $5,429 | $12,927 | $23,941 | $36,962 |
| 94025 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 94305 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
$1,102
Average Palo Alto 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 | September 15 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | October 1 |
| Due Date #1 | December 10 |
| Due Date #2 | April 10 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Santa Clara Tax Assessor | |
| Phone | (408) 299-5372 |
| Website | www.sccassessor.org |
| dawn.cieslik@asr.sccgov.org | |
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