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Costa Mesa, Orange County, California Property Taxes

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Property Taxes in Costa Mesa, California

  • Median Costa Mesa, California effective property tax rate: 1.20%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and slightly lower than the California state median of 1.21%.

  • Median Costa Mesa, California home value: $579,712

  • Median annual Costa Mesa, California tax bill: $7,061, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Orange calculated?

Property taxes in Costa Mesa, 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 Costa Mesa's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Costa Mesa, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated April 13, 2026

Costa Mesa, Orange County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.2%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$6,957

$6,455

SAVE WITH OWNWELL

$774

Average Annual Tax Savings

How Does the Costa Mesa Property Tax Calculator Work?

Use this Costa Mesa property tax calculator to estimate your annual tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Costa Mesa's median effective tax rate of 1.20% — based on actual property records in Orange County — to generate your estimate.

Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment 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 Costa Mesa'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 Costa Mesa: rates range from $6,844.00 in 92626 to $7,301.00 in 92627, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.

Costa Mesa's median property tax bill of $7,061 is higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and slightly higher than the California median tax rate of 1.21%. If your estimate is higher than expected, Ownwell can appeal your Costa Mesa assessment — you only pay if we save you money.

About Costa Mesa Property Taxes

About Property Taxes in Costa Mesa, Orange, California

Costa Mesa's median effective property tax rate of 1.20% is lower than the California state median of 1.21% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Orange 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 Costa Mesa. Homeowners in the 92626 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.22%, while those in 92627 pay 1.19%. This spread — 0.03 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Orange County. Understanding which part of Costa Mesa you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.

Costa Mesa homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local 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 Costa Mesa, Orange 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 Costa Mesa's effective property tax rate to other cities in California and the median property tax rates in California and the U.S.

Property Tax Rates Across Costa Mesa, Orange County, California

Source: Ownwell

1.01%

1.31%

1.62%

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 Costa Mesa Tax Rate

1.20%

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 Orange County Tax Rate

1.14%

Median Effective California Tax Rate

1.21%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Costa Mesa, Orange County, California

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Tax Rate75th Percentile90th Percentile
926261.14%1.17%1.22%1.34%1.78%
926271.11%1.14%1.19%1.30%1.51%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Costa Mesa, Orange County, California

When examining property taxes in Costa Mesa, 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. Orange 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 Orange County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of October.

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. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Costa Mesa.

For example, the median home price in Costa Mesa is $579,712, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 92627 has the highest median home price at $604,898.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Costa Mesa, Orange County, California

Source: Ownwell

$282,854

$1,344,436

$2,406,018

Median Costa Mesa Market Value

$579,712

Median Orange County Market Value

$539,567

Median California Market Value

$427,605

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Costa Mesa, Orange County, California

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Home Price75th Percentile90th Percentile
92626$133,983$318,606$563,462$854,253$1,118,533
92627$92,541$308,945$604,898$930,771$1,318,884

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Costa Mesa, Orange County, California

Property tax bills in Costa Mesa are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price, and the local tax rate is applied to that assessment to determine what homeowners owe. With a median home price of $579,712, bills can vary widely depending on location, property features, and how the home is assessed. In this area, the 25th percentile tax bill is $4,229, while the 75th percentile is $10,456 and the 90th percentile reaches $13,924. The highest median tax bill is $7,301 in ZIP code 92627, compared with $6,844 in ZIP code 92626. That is well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and the national median property tax rate of 1.02%.

Higher property tax bills can put added pressure on homeowners, especially when assessments rise faster than expected. Ownwell helps homeowners review their property tax assessments and identify opportunities to appeal overassessments, which can lower property tax bills and reduce long-term costs.

Property Tax Bills Across Costa Mesa, Orange County, California

Source: Ownwell

$3,274

$14,944

$26,613

Median Costa Mesa Tax Bill

$7,061

Median Orange County Tax Bill

$6,177

Median California Tax Bill

$5,134

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Costa Mesa, Orange County, California

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Tax Bill75th Percentile90th Percentile
92626$2,353$4,275$6,844$9,990$12,817
92627$2,074$4,231$7,301$10,933$15,045

Source: Ownwell

Don't miss the deadline to appeal!

Frequently Asked Property Tax Questions in Costa Mesa, California

How are property taxes calculated in Costa Mesa, California?
Property taxes in Costa Mesa, California are calculated by multiplying your property's assessed value by the applicable tax rate set by local taxing authorities. The assessed value is determined by the county assessor and may differ from your property's market value depending on local assessment ratios and exemptions.
How do I appeal my property taxes in Costa Mesa, California?
To appeal your property taxes in Costa Mesa, California, you typically need to file a formal protest or appeal with your local appraisal district or assessor's office by the stated deadline. You'll need evidence such as comparable sales, a recent independent appraisal, or documentation of property condition issues. Ownwell can handle this entire process for you.
What property tax exemptions are available in Costa Mesa, California?
Common property tax exemptions in Costa Mesa, California include homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior citizen exemptions, veteran exemptions, and disability exemptions. Exemption amounts and eligibility requirements vary by county. Contact your local appraisal district or check Ownwell for details specific to your property.
When are property taxes due in Costa Mesa, California?
Property tax deadlines in Costa Mesa, California vary by county but typically include an assessment notice period in spring or early summer, followed by an appeal deadline, and a tax payment due date in the fall or winter. Check with your county assessor's office for specific dates in your area.
How can Ownwell help reduce my property taxes in Costa Mesa, California?
Ownwell provides professional property tax appeal services in Costa Mesa, California. Our team analyzes your assessment, gathers evidence, files all paperwork, and represents you at hearings — all with no upfront cost. You only pay a percentage of your savings if we successfully lower your tax bill.