What is the property tax rate in Palo Alto, CA?

Palo Alto has an estimated effective property tax rate of 0.50%. On a median home valued at $2,000,001, homeowners pay approximately $10,001 per year in property taxes.

How does Palo Alto compare to Santa Clara County?

Palo Alto's effective rate of 0.50% is 25% lower than the Santa Clara County average of 0.67%. The county-wide median annual tax is $10,001, while Palo Alto homeowners pay an estimated $10,001.

How much are property taxes in Palo Alto on a $300,000 home?

Based on Palo Alto's effective rate of 0.50%, property taxes on a $300,000 home would be approximately $1,500 per year, or about $125 per month.

Palo Alto Property Tax Rate

Santa Clara County, California

0.50%effective rate

Palo Alto is located in Santa Clara County, California. Homeowners in Palo Alto pay a median of $10,001 per year in property taxes on a home valued at $2,000,001, resulting in an effective tax rate of 0.50%. This is 25% lower than the Santa Clara County average of 0.67%.

Effective Tax Rate🏠

0.50%

vs 0.67% county avg

Est. Annual Tax💰

$10,001

Per year

Median Home Value📊

$2,000,001

2024 estimate

Population📍

67,231

Palo Alto, CA

How Palo Alto Compares

Palo Alto

0.50%

Santa Clara County Average

0.67%

California Average

0.70%

National Average

0.92%

Cities in Santa Clara County

Compare property tax rates for 13 cities in Santa Clara County, California.

City	Population	Annual Tax	Rate
Gilroy	58,561	$8,014	0.82%
Morgan Hill	45,152	$8,890	0.79%
San Jose	990,054	$9,121	0.77%
Milpitas	78,216	$8,002	0.68%
Campbell	42,848	$9,864	0.64%
Santa Clara	129,239	$8,939	0.59%
Mountain View	82,363	$10,001	0.52%
Sunnyvale	153,455	$9,006	0.50%
Palo Alto	67,231	$10,001	0.50%
Cupertino	58,886	$10,001	0.50%
Los Gatos	32,773	$10,001	0.50%
Los Altos	30,736	$10,001	0.50%
Saratoga	30,335	$10,001	0.50%

About Property Taxes in Palo Alto

Property taxes in Palo Alto are collected by Santa Clara County. Tax exemptions available to Santa Clara County residents — including homestead, senior, and disability exemptions — also apply to homeowners in Palo Alto. For detailed information on available exemptions and the county tax collector, see the Santa Clara County property tax page.

Property Tax Calculator

Estimate your annual property tax in Palo Alto

Home Value

$50k$2M

Apply homestead exemption ($100,000 school tax reduction)

Estimated Annual Property Tax

$1,500

$125/month · Rate: 0.50%

Santa Clara County Property Taxes

County-level data, exemptions, historical trends, and tax collector info.

View county details →

California Property Taxes

Statewide rates, all 58 counties, and exemptions.

View state details →

Think your property tax is too high?

Homeowners save an average of $1,148/year by appealing their assessment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. City-level tax data is derived from Census place-level statistics. Effective tax rates are calculated by dividing median real estate taxes paid by median home value. Actual property tax rates may vary based on local taxing jurisdictions, exemptions, and assessment practices. This information is for general reference only and should not be used as a substitute for professional tax advice.