Buying a home in California

Property taxes, transfer taxes, home values and first-time buyer help in California.

Effective property tax rate

0.7%

Median tax $5,124 ÷ median value $734,700 (ACS 2020–2024)

Typical home value

$764,158

Zillow ZHVI, 2026-08

Transfer & recording taxes Estimate

$841

Total on a $764,158 home; buyer’s typical share $0.

How we estimated

County documentary transfer tax of $0.55 per $500 ($1.10 per $1,000), with conforming cities taking half as a credit (Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §§11911, 11931). Some charter cities add their own tax; e.g., the City of Los Angeles adds $4.50 per $1,000 (0.45%). Who pays varies by county; usually the seller. Sources: Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §11911 · L.A. County Registrar-Recorder. Checked 2026-10-15.

Buyer’s transfer & recording taxes Estimate

On a $764,158 home. Lender fees and title insurance aren’t included because we don’t have a sourced figure for them in California. Estimate the rest.

At California's effective rate of 0.7%, a typical $764,158 home would owe about $5,349/year ($446/month) in property taxes. Actual bills depend on your county, city and exemptions. Run your numbers.

First-time homebuyer programs

California Housing Finance Agency

Your state housing finance agency offers down payment assistance and low-rate mortgages for eligible buyers. Visit California Housing Finance Agency →

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year (B25103, B25077); Zillow Home Value Index; TallyClose closing-cost dataset (CC BY 4.0), which cites each state statute; NCSHA HFA directory. Last updated 2026-10-15.