San Rafael, Marin County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in San Rafael, California
Median San Rafael, California effective property tax rate: 1.46%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median San Rafael, California home value: $753,594
Median annual San Rafael, California tax bill: $10,844, $8,444 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Marin calculated?
Property taxes in San Rafael, California are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding San Rafael's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in San Rafael, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
San Rafael, Marin County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.46%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$11,002
$10,210
How Does the San Rafael Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this San Rafael property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies San Rafael's median effective tax rate of 1.46% — based on actual property records in Marin County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies San Rafael's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within San Rafael: rates range from $9,934 in 94903 to $11,832 in 94901, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across San Rafael.
About San Rafael Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in San Rafael, Marin, California
San Rafael's median effective property tax rate of 1.46% is higher than the California state median of 1.21% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Marin County base levy combined with local school district levies and Mello-Roos Community Facility Districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across San Rafael. Homeowners in the 94903 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.51%, while those in 94901 pay 1.42%. This spread — 0.09 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Marin County. Understanding which part of San Rafael you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
San Rafael homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the December 1, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across San Rafael, Marin County, California
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare San Rafael's effective property tax rate to other cities in California and the median property tax rates in California and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective San Rafael Tax Rate
1.46%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Marin County Tax Rate
1.39%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across San Rafael, Marin County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94901 | 1.28% | 1.33% | 1.42% | 1.65% | 2.11% |
| 94903 | 1.28% | 1.37% | 1.51% | 1.80% | 2.46% |
| 94904 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across San Rafael, Marin County, California
When examining property taxes in San Rafael, California, understanding the distinction between market value and assessed value is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. Marin County estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Marin County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. For San Rafael, the median home price is $753,594, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 94901 has the highest median home price at $849,652.
San Rafael property owners face a median tax bill of $10,844, well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and far higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across San Rafael, Marin County, California
Source: Ownwell
$430,892
$1,472,162
$2,513,431
Median San Rafael Market Value
$753,594
Median Marin County Market Value
$841,979
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across San Rafael, Marin County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94901 | $200,689 | $422,552 | $849,652 | $1,303,241 | $1,857,103 |
| 94903 | $156,942 | $341,080 | $666,172 | $1,039,565 | $1,437,786 |
| 94904 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across San Rafael, Marin County, California
Property tax bills in San Rafael are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by Marin County and other taxing authorities. When a property’s assessed value rises, the tax bill usually rises too, which is why homeowners with higher-value homes often pay more.
The city’s median home price is $753,594, and the property tax burden is substantial compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and the national median property tax bill of $2,400. In San Rafael, the median tax bill varies by neighborhood, with the highest median tax bill at $11,832 in ZIP code 94901 and the lowest at $9,934 in ZIP code 94903.
For homeowners, this means property taxes can be one of the largest ongoing housing costs, especially in a high-value market. Understanding how the bill is calculated can help homeowners better anticipate annual expenses and evaluate whether their assessed value reflects the market.
Median San Rafael Tax Bill
$10,844
Median Marin County Tax Bill
$11,574
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across San Rafael, Marin County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94901 | $4,202 | $6,760 | $11,832 | $17,303 | $23,854 |
| 94903 | $4,125 | $6,166 | $9,934 | $14,276 | $18,690 |
| 94904 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Property Valuation Date | January 1 |
| Appeal Deadline | December 1 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | October 1 |
| Due Date #1 | December 10 |
| Due Date #2 | April 10 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Marin Tax Assessor | |
| Website | apps.marincounty.org |