Sonoma County Property Taxes

Sonoma County, California

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

37.9% above state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$465/mo escrow

#35 of 58 counties in California

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

0.72%

vs. California Avg37.9% above
vs. National Avg107.4% above

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$779,000

State avg $569,022

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$6,048

$504/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$4,455

$371/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#35

of 58 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Sonoma County, California

Sonoma's taxes dwarf the national average

Sonoma County homeowners pay an effective tax rate of 0.716%, nearly matching California's state average of 0.714% but far exceeding the national median of 0.955% on comparable homes. The median property tax here is $5,580 annually—more than double the national median of $2,690—reflecting the county's median home value of $779,000.

Middle of the pack across California

Sonoma ranks near the state median for effective tax rates, sitting just barely above California's 0.714% average. Its median annual tax of $5,580 exceeds the state median of $4,045, placing it firmly in the upper half of California counties by total tax burden.

Higher taxes than similar Wine Country peers

Compared to neighboring Napa County and surrounding regions, Sonoma's 0.716% effective rate and $5,580 median tax reflect its higher home values. Ventura County to the south carries a similar rate at 0.693%, while smaller inland counties like Sutter (0.779%) and Tulare (0.730%) maintain comparable or slightly higher effective rates despite lower home prices.

A $779,000 home costs $5,580 yearly

The typical Sonoma homeowner with a $779,000 property pays approximately $5,580 in annual property taxes at the current effective rate of 0.716%. For mortgaged properties, this figure climbs to $6,048 when including mandatory mortgage-related assessments.

Many Sonoma homeowners may be overassessed

Property tax assessments aren't always accurate, and Sonoma homeowners have the right to appeal if they believe their valuation is too high. Even a small reduction in assessed value can yield meaningful annual savings given the county's high home prices.

How Sonoma County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Sonoma County$5,580
California State Average$4,045
National Average$1,924

Sonoma County

0.72%

Effective rate

California Avg

0.71%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Sonoma County, California?
The effective property tax rate in Sonoma County, California is 0.72%. 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 Sonoma County?
The median annual property tax payment in Sonoma County is $5,580. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $6,048, while those without a mortgage pay $4,455.
How does Sonoma County compare to the California average?
Sonoma County's effective tax rate of 0.72% is higher than the California state average of 0.71%. The median annual property tax in Sonoma County is $5,580, compared to the state average of $4,045.
What is the median home value in Sonoma County, California?
The median home value in Sonoma County, California is $779,000, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Why is Sonoma County property tax rate higher than the California average?
Sonoma County's effective property tax rate of 0.72% is higher than the California average of 0.71%. This difference of 0.01% can be attributed to local funding needs for schools, infrastructure, and municipal services. Higher rates often correlate with more urbanized areas or counties with greater public service demands.
How does Sonoma County rank for property taxes in California?
Sonoma County ranks #35 out of 58 counties in California by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 0.72% and median annual tax of $5,580, it falls in the middle 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.