San Diego County, CA Property Taxes (2026)

San Diego County owners pay a median of $5,542 a year on a median home value of $791,600, an effective rate of 0.70%. That's the 34th-highest rate of 58 California counties with Census data, below the California county median of 0.70%.

Updated October 2026 · Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023)

TaxDrop does not currently serve San Diego County. Data below is for reference.

Effective tax rate

0.70%

34th highest of 58 in CA

Median annual bill

$5,542

~$462/month

Median home value

$791,600

California county median

0.70%

Effective rate

San Diego County vs. California vs. U.S. property tax rates

San Diego County0.70%
California county median0.70%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: San Diego County's effective property tax rate is 0.70%, vs. 0.70% for the median California county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 34th of 58 in California. Effective rate = median tax bill ÷ median home value, so it already reflects typical exemptions. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023))

How to appeal your property taxes in San Diego County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

    Check the assessed value from the San Diego County Assessor. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The San Diego County deadline is July 2 – November 30. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment year.

  3. 3

    Gather evidence

    Recent comparable sales, photos of condition issues, repair estimates or an independent appraisal.

  4. 4

    Present your case

    Submit evidence or attend a hearing with the County Assessor.

  5. 5

    Get your decision

    If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $5,542 bill, 10–15% off is $554–$831 a year.

TaxDrop does not currently serve San Diego County. Data below is for reference.

Property tax exemptions in California

California homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the San Diego County Assessor for amounts.

Homestead exemption

For your primary residence. Reduces the value used to calculate your bill.

Senior / over-65

Many states add an exemption or freeze for owners 65 and older.

Disability

For homeowners with qualifying disabilities, often similar to the over-65 benefit.

Veterans

Disabled veterans may get partial or full exemptions depending on rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in San Diego County, California?
The median effective property tax rate in San Diego County is 0.70%: a median annual bill of $5,542 on a median home value of $791,600. That's the 34th-highest rate of 58 California counties with Census data. Your own rate depends on which city, school district and special districts you're in. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).
How much are property taxes in San Diego County?
The median San Diego County property tax bill is $5,542 a year, about $462 a month, compared with a California county median of $3,172.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in San Diego County?
The deadline to appeal in San Diego County is July 2 – November 30. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is San Diego County a high property tax area?
San Diego County's 0.70% effective rate is below the California county median of 0.70% and below the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 34th-highest rate of 58 California counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my San Diego County property taxes?
TaxDrop does not currently serve San Diego County. Data below is for reference.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Riverside County

Rate: 0.82%

Median bill: $4,189

Orange County

Rate: 0.67%

Median bill: $6,096

Imperial County

Rate: 0.84%

Median bill: $2,348

Los Angeles County

Rate: 0.69%

Median bill: $5,438

San Bernardino County

Rate: 0.70%

Median bill: $3,346

Ventura County

Rate: 0.69%

Median bill: $5,326

Kern County

Rate: 0.91%

Median bill: $2,833

Santa Barbara County

Rate: 0.66%

Median bill: $4,870

← All 58 California counties

TaxDrop does not currently serve San Diego County

TaxDrop does not currently serve San Diego County. Data below is for reference.