County property tax calculator
Property Tax Calculator for San Mateo County
San Mateo County taxes property at 0.613%, below the 1.07% national average. On the county's median home value of $1,494,500, that works out to $9,161 per year, or $763 per month in escrow — a lighter monthly load than most of the country. Counties with rates in this range often lean on sales tax, state transfers, or other revenue sources to fund services, which keeps the property tax burden lower for homeowners. For buyers who plan to hold long-term, the cumulative savings versus a high-tax market can be substantial. Escrow will still fluctuate with assessments, but the baseline rate gives a predictable starting point. The lower effective rate here also means escrow adjustments have a smaller absolute impact on monthly payments when property assessments change year over year. Buyers who plan to hold the home for a decade or more often find this matters more than the initial purchase price gap against higher-tax neighbors, especially once equity builds and the tax line becomes a smaller percentage of total carrying cost. San Mateo County's median home value of $1,494,500 sits far above the California state average — this is a premium market. Buyers here typically see larger down payments, higher loan amounts, and pricing that can push certain loans into jumbo territory. The valuation reflects a combination of demand, employment access, and local amenities that tend to hold long-term. For buyers entering this market, the math shifts: monthly payments scale with the loan amount, and lenders may apply stricter scrutiny at higher price points. Homeowners' insurance and property tax often run above state norms as a direct result. Anyone budgeting a purchase should plan for the full carrying cost, not just the loan payment. Buyers moving into this tier should expect lender scrutiny on jumbo financing thresholds and may benefit from a full pre-approval before touring properties, since the price point often attracts multiple offers and fast decisions.
Property Tax Details
National average is 1.07%
Used to project future tax burden
Annual Property Tax
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Insights
Property Tax Landscape in San Mateo County
San Mateo County taxes at 0.613%, below California's average of 0.73%. The difference saves roughly $1,749 per year on a median-valued home compared with the state figure. Buyers moving within California may notice the savings in escrow — the monthly payment is lower by a corresponding amount. Local jurisdictions here often operate on a leaner tax base or supplement revenue through other sources. The lower rate does not necessarily mean lower services; county budgets vary. Buyers comparing options should weigh the tax savings against other factors like commute, school district, and access to amenities. Within California, San Mateo County ranks as the 3th lowest of 58 counties by effective property tax rate.
San Mateo County's median home value of $1,494,500 sits far above the California state average — this is a premium market. Buyers here typically see larger down payments, higher loan amounts, and pricing that can push certain loans into jumbo territory. The valuation reflects a combination of demand, employment access, and local amenities that tend to hold long-term. For buyers entering this market, the math shifts: monthly payments scale with the loan amount, and lenders may apply stricter scrutiny at higher price points. Homeowners' insurance and property tax often run above state norms as a direct result. Anyone budgeting a purchase should plan for the full carrying cost, not just the loan payment. Households in San Mateo County earn well above the California median — the median income here is $156,000, which gives buyers more flexibility in qualifying for conventional and jumbo financing at competitive rates. The price-to-income ratio of 9.6x signals a market where buyers stretch to enter — households at the median allocate a larger share of take-home pay toward housing than in most US markets. Median gross rent runs $2,893 per month, giving renters a baseline to compare against ownership costs in the same market.
Property Tax Scenarios — San Mateo County
The scenarios below show how property tax scales across a range of home values typical for a premium market. Buyers comparing price points can see the direct effect on annual and monthly escrow: each step up in value moves the tax line proportionally at the county's effective rate. This is not the loan payment — it is the tax component that sits inside the monthly mortgage servicer collection.
| Home Value | Annual Tax | Monthly Escrow | 10-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $745,000 | $4,567 | $381 | $45,669 |
| $1,120,000 | $6,866 | $572 | $68,656 |
| $1,495,000 | $9,164 | $764 | $91,644 |
| $2,240,000 | $13,731 | $1,144 | $137,312 |
| $2,990,000 | $18,329 | $1,527 | $183,287 |
Frequently asked questions
Buyers in low-tax jurisdictions often have specific questions about long-term savings, escrow mechanics, and comparisons with other counties in the state. The answers below use San Mateo County's own data.
What is the property tax rate in San Mateo County?
San Mateo County has an effective property tax rate of 0.613%, below the national average (national average: 1.07%). On a median home of $1,494,500, that's about $9,161 per year, or $763 monthly through escrow.
How much are property taxes on a home in San Mateo County?
At the county median of $1,494,500, annual property taxes run roughly $9,161, collected through mortgage escrow at about $763 per month.
How does San Mateo County compare to California?
San Mateo County's 0.613% rate is moderately below California's statewide average of 0.73%. The difference equals about $1,749 per year on a median home.
What is the median income in San Mateo County?
Median household income in San Mateo County is $156,000 (Census ACS 2023). Median gross rent runs $2,893 per month.
Are property taxes deductible in San Mateo County?
Yes, property taxes are deductible on federal returns when you itemize, subject to the SALT cap ($10,000 for most filers). San Mateo County homeowners paying $9,161 annually may benefit if their combined state and local tax burden exceeds the standard deduction.
How are property taxes calculated in San Mateo County?
The county assessor multiplies your home's assessed value by the local tax rate. On a $1,494,500 home at the county's effective rate of 0.613%, the annual bill is approximately $9,161.
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Disclaimer: This calculator and the content on this page are for educational purposes only. They do not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Rates, loan limits, and eligibility criteria vary by lender, location, and borrower profile. Always consult a licensed financial professional before making borrowing decisions. CalcPier is independent and not affiliated with any lender listed on this page.
