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United States › California › Santa Clara County › Palo Alto

Palo Alto property tax, in one number.

0.50%+effective rate, at least (tax capped at $10,000)

Half of Palo Alto homeowners pay $10,000 or more a year in property tax, on a median home value of $2,000,001. The Census Bureau stops counting at $10,000, so the real median bill is higher and the effective rate of not available is a floor.

Estimate my tax
Census ACS 5-year estimates, 2020–2024. Rate = median tax paid ÷ median home value.
Data from public sources
U.S. Census BureauAmerican Community Survey2020–2024 estimates

Palo Alto at a glance

Five numbers that shape a typical property tax bill here.

$2,000,001+
Median home value
$10,000+
Median tax paid
$10,000+
With a mortgage
$9,784
Mortgage paid off
54.6%
Of homes owner-occupied
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Property tax calculator

Enter a home value to see a typical yearly bill at Palo Alto's average effective rate, or pick another area.

Estimate only. Uses average effective rates and doesn't apply homestead, senior or other exemptions, which lower many bills.
Estimated yearly tax
–
about – a month
$10,000+
Median yearly tax paid
ACS 2020–2024, owner-occupied homes
  • Mortgage or not, bills are similar.Homes with a mortgage paid a median $10,000+, and homes owned outright paid $9,784.
  • Share of income.The median bill equals about 4.3% of the median household income of $231,101. Because reported bills stop at $10,000, the real share is higher.

The data, charted

Effective rate compared

ACS 2020–2024

Owners vs renters

26,021 occupied homes, ACS 2020–2024
Owner-occupied 54.6%Renter-occupied 45.4%

Cities in Santa Clara County

Effective rate, ACS 2020–2024

Palo Alto compared

ACS 2020–2024
AreaMedian taxHome valueRate
Palo Alto$10,000+$2,000,0010.50%+
Santa Clara County$10,000+$1,490,6000.67%+
California$5,124$734,7000.70%
United States$3,119$332,7000.94%

Other cities in Santa Clara County

Effective property tax rates nearby.

Gilroy
0.83%
$8,513 median
Morgan Hill
0.77%
$9,330 median
San Jose
0.76%
$9,393 median
Milpitas
0.69%
$8,582 median
Campbell
0.62%
$9,962 median
Santa Clara
0.58%
$9,234 median
Mountain View
0.52%+
$10,000+ median
Palo Alto
0.50%+
$10,000+ median

Nearby

Good to know

What is the property tax rate in Palo Alto?

At least 0.50%. The median homeowner pays $10,000 or more a year on a $2,000,001 home. The Census Bureau caps reported taxes at $10,000, so the true median bill and rate are higher (ACS 2020–2024).

Why is my bill different from this estimate?

Your bill depends on your home's assessed value from the county assessor, the exact taxing units where you live (county, city, school district, special districts) and any exemptions you get. These figures are medians across all owner-occupied homes, not a bill for any address.

How current is this data?

It comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates for 2020–2024, the latest release. Homeowners report the taxes they paid, so the numbers lag current bills by one to two years. We update the site when the Census Bureau publishes new estimates each December.

Estimates, not your tax bill. These are Census survey medians for all owner-occupied homes (2020–2024). Your bill depends on your assessed value, the taxing units at your address and any exemptions. For your actual bill, check with your county assessor or tax collector. How we calculate this.

More: Santa Clara County · all California counties · calculator for any county