San Mateo County Property Taxes
San Mateo County, California
Effective Tax Rate
0.00%
126.6% above state avgMedian Annual Tax
$0
$764/mo escrow
Estimate Your Tax
Annual Tax
$0
Monthly
$0
Eff. Rate
0.61%
At a Glance
Median Home Value
$1,494,500
State avg ▲ $569,022
Tax w/ Mortgage/yr
$10,001
$833/mo escrow
Tax w/o Mortgage/yr
$6,267
$522/mo
State Tax Rate Rank
#3
of 58 counties (1 = lowest)
Data Story
About Property Taxes in San Mateo County, California
San Mateo taxes dwarf national average
San Mateo County homeowners pay a median of $9,167 annually—more than three times the national median of $2,690. At an effective rate of 0.613%, San Mateo falls below California's state average of 0.714%, but the county's sky-high home values ($1.49 million median) mean the real tax burden ranks in the top 5% nationally.
Mid-pack rates, top-tier prices
San Mateo's effective tax rate places it solidly in the middle range among California's 58 counties, about 40 spots from the highest. However, when measured by actual dollars paid, San Mateo ranks among the state's highest-taxed counties, second only to a handful of wealthier enclaves in the Bay Area.
Pricier than Santa Clara, less than peers
San Mateo homeowners pay $9,167 annually, slightly less than neighboring Santa Clara County ($9,766) despite similar home values near $1.5 million. Santa Cruz County, just south, has cheaper homes ($1.01 million) and lower annual taxes ($6,305), while still maintaining a similar effective rate.
A $1.5M home costs $9,167 yearly
The typical San Mateo homeowner with a $1.49 million home pays $9,167 in property taxes annually. Homeowners with mortgages see effective totals closer to $10,001 when combining principal residence exemptions and other factors.
Overassessments could mean refunds
Many San Mateo County homeowners are unaware they may be overassessed—meaning your home's assessed value exceeds its true market value. Filing a property tax appeal costs nothing and could lower your annual bill significantly, especially in a volatile real estate market.
How San Mateo County Compares
Median Annual Property Tax
San Mateo County
0.61%
Effective rate
California Avg
0.71%
Effective rate
National Avg
0.91%
Effective rate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the property tax rate in San Mateo County, California?
How much are property taxes in San Mateo County?
How does San Mateo County compare to the California average?
What is the median home value in San Mateo County, California?
Is San Mateo County a low property tax area in California?
How does San Mateo County rank for property taxes in California?
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.