Monterey County Property Taxes

Monterey County, California

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

18.2% above state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$399/mo escrow

#9 of 58 counties in California

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

0.66%

vs. California Avg18.2% above
vs. National Avg77.8% above

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$723,100

State avg $569,022

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$5,366

$447/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$3,540

$295/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#9

of 58 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Monterey County, California

Monterey taxes well below national average

Monterey County's effective rate of 0.661% ranks among California's lowest and significantly undercuts the national median of 0.85%. Yet Monterey homeowners pay $4,782 annually—77% more than the national median of $2,690—because homes here average $723,100, nearly 2.6 times the national median value.

Monterey among lowest-taxed California counties

At 0.661%, Monterey boasts one of California's three lowest effective property tax rates, trailing the state average of 0.714% by a meaningful margin. This favorable rate gives Monterey residents an edge, though high home values still generate substantial tax bills statewide.

Monterey undercuts Napa and Orange County rates

Monterey's 0.661% effective rate beats Napa County (0.696%) and Orange County (0.666%) to the south, offering moderate tax relief in California's premium coastal corridor. Monterey homeowners save hundreds annually compared to equally valued homes in adjacent high-tax regions.

Median Monterey home costs $4,782 yearly in taxes

With a median home value of $723,100 and a 0.661% effective rate, Monterey homeowners pay roughly $4,782 in annual property taxes. With mortgage impounds, the figure climbs to $5,366; without them, it drops to $3,540.

Reassess if your home's value doesn't match sales

Monterey's booming coastal real estate market means assessments can lag behind rapid property appreciation—or sometimes overshoot actual market conditions depending on neighborhood trends. Comparing your assessed value to recent arm's-length sales nearby takes minutes and could unlock tax savings if your home is overvalued.

How Monterey County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Monterey County$4,782
California State Average$4,045
National Average$1,924

Monterey County

0.66%

Effective rate

California Avg

0.71%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Monterey County, California?
The effective property tax rate in Monterey County, California is 0.66%. This rate is calculated by dividing the median property tax payment by the median home value in the county.
How much are property taxes in Monterey County?
The median annual property tax payment in Monterey County is $4,782. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $5,366, while those without a mortgage pay $3,540.
How does Monterey County compare to the California average?
Monterey County's effective tax rate of 0.66% is lower than the California state average of 0.71%. The median annual property tax in Monterey County is $4,782, compared to the state average of $4,045.
What is the median home value in Monterey County, California?
The median home value in Monterey County, California is $723,100, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Is Monterey County a low property tax area in California?
Yes — Monterey County's effective property tax rate of 0.66% is below the California average of 0.71%. The median annual property tax of $4,782 is also comparable to the state average of $4,045, making it a relatively affordable area for property taxes.
How does Monterey County rank for property taxes in California?
Monterey County ranks #9 out of 58 counties in California by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 0.66% and median annual tax of $4,782, it falls in the lower third of counties statewide.

Counties with Similar Tax Rates

Nearby Counties

Other Counties in California

Data updated: March 2026

Data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Effective tax rate is calculated as median property tax divided by median home value.