Home
/US Property Taxes
/California
/Santa Clara County
/Palo Alto

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

SAVE WITH OWNWELL

$1,102

Average Tax Savings

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

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.

Property Tax Rates Across Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California

Source: Ownwell

Loading...

1.14%

1.41%

1.68%

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

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Tax Rate75th Percentile90th Percentile
94025N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
943011.17%1.18%1.21%1.27%1.42%
943031.17%1.20%1.23%1.30%1.52%
943041.17%1.19%1.21%1.51%1.61%
94305N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
943061.17%1.20%1.23%1.30%1.51%

Source: 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

Loading...

$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

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Home Price75th Percentile90th Percentile
94025N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
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
94305N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
94306$148,556$445,633$1,078,312$2,066,402$3,194,136

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California

In Palo Alto, located in Santa Clara County, CA, property tax bills are determined by multiplying the assessed value of a home by the local tax rate. The assessed value is often based on the purchase price of the property, with potential annual increases limited by state regulations. This approach can significantly impact homeowners, especially in areas with high property values. For example, the median home price in Palo Alto is $1,204,880, contributing to substantial tax bills. The median property tax bill in the area can range from $6,360 at the 25th percentile to $43,268 at the 90th percentile, with the highest median tax bill reaching $20,652 in the 94304 ZIP code. Such figures are considerably above the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Ownwell assists homeowners by identifying potential savings through property tax appeals. By analyzing property assessments and market conditions, Ownwell can help reduce over-assessed values, leading to lower tax bills and significant savings for homeowners.

Property Tax Bills Across Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California

Source: Ownwell

Loading...

$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

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Tax Bill75th Percentile90th Percentile
94025N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
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
94305N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
94306$2,295$5,429$12,927$23,941$36,962

Source: Ownwell

Don't miss the deadline to appeal!