San Mateo County, CA

San Mateo County Property Tax Estimator

Estimate your property taxes in San Mateo County using the 2026 average effective rate of 1.05% and median home value of $1,650,000.

Property Details

$

San Mateo County median: $1,650,000

%

San Mateo County average: 1.050%

California Property Tax Note

California Proposition 13 caps the base property tax rate at 1% of assessed value at purchase, plus voter-approved local bonds and assessments. Actual rates vary by city due to Mello-Roos and special assessments.

Your Property Tax Estimate

Annual Tax

$17,325

Monthly Tax

$1,444

Effective Rate

1.050%

Tax at Different Price Points in San Mateo County

Home PriceAnnual TaxMonthly Tax
$500,000$5,250$438
$750,000$7,875$656
$1,000,000$10,500$875
$1,500,000$15,750$1,313
$2,000,000$21,000$1,750

Based on 1.050% effective tax rate for San Mateo County.

Impact on Monthly Mortgage Payment

Property taxes are part of your total PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance) payment. Lenders include $1,444/month in your qualifying debt-to-income ratio.

Monthly Tax Escrow

$1,444

Annual Tax Bill

$17,325

Calculations are estimates for educational purposes only. Actual property taxes depend on your county assessor's valuation, local bond measures, Mello-Roos districts, and homeowner exemptions. Contact Mo Abdel at (949) 822-9662 for a personalized mortgage analysis. NMLS #1426884 | Lumin Lending NMLS #2716106.

City Tax Estimators in San Mateo County

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average property tax rate in San Mateo County, California?

The average effective property tax rate in San Mateo County is 1.05% for 2026. On the median home value of $1,650,000, that equals approximately $17,325 per year or $1,444 per month.

How are property taxes calculated in San Mateo County?

In San Mateo County, California, property taxes start with Proposition 13's base rate of 1% of the assessed value (purchase price), plus voter-approved local bonds and Mello-Roos special assessments. The assessed value increases by a maximum of 2% per year regardless of market appreciation.

What is Mello-Roos and does it affect San Mateo County property taxes?

Mello-Roos is a special tax district in California that funds local infrastructure and services in newer developments. Many communities in San Mateo County have Mello-Roos assessments ranging from 0.25% to 1.5% of the home's original sale price, added on top of the base property tax. Check with San Mateo County County Assessor for specific Mello-Roos districts.

How do property taxes affect my mortgage payment in San Mateo County?

Property taxes are included in your monthly PITI payment (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance). In San Mateo County, the estimated $1,444/month tax escrow on a median-priced home is factored into your debt-to-income ratio by lenders. This directly affects how much home you qualify for.

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