Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Santa Maria, California
Median Santa Maria, California effective property tax rate: 1.04%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Santa Maria, California home value: $506,370
Median annual Santa Maria, California tax bill: $5,085, higher by $2,685 than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in San Luis Obispo calculated?
Property taxes in Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Santa Maria, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.04%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$5,266
$4,887
How Does the Santa Maria Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Santa Maria property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Santa Maria's median effective tax rate of 1.04% — based on actual property records in San Luis Obispo 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 Santa Maria'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 Santa Maria: rates range from $5,215 in 93454 to $5,215 in 93454, 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 Santa Maria.
About Santa Maria Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, California
Santa Maria's median effective property tax rate of 1.04% is lower than the California state median of 1.21% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the San Luis Obispo 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 Santa Maria. Homeowners in the 93454 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.03%, while those in 93454 pay 1.03%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across San Luis Obispo County. Understanding which part of Santa Maria you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Santa Maria homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the September 15, 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 Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo 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 Santa Maria'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 Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo County, California
Source: Ownwell
1.03%
1.32%
1.60%
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 Santa Maria Tax Rate
1.04%
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 Luis Obispo County Tax Rate
1.08%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93454 | 0.97% | 1.01% | 1.03% | 1.04% | 1.04% |
| 93458 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo County, California
When examining property taxes in Santa Maria, 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. The San Luis Obispo County appraisal district 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 San Luis Obispo County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May.
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 Santa Maria.
For example, the median home price in Santa Maria is $506,370, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 93454 has the highest median home price at $514,432.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo County, California
Source: Ownwell
$279,528
$569,292
$859,056
Median Santa Maria Market Value
$506,370
Median San Luis Obispo County Market Value
$492,000
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93454 | $172,140 | $300,010 | $514,432 | $783,748 | $1,223,370 |
| 93458 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo County, California
Property tax bills in Santa Maria are based on the assessed value of a home, which is tied to its market value and local tax rates. For a home with a median market value of $506,370, the bill can vary widely depending on the property’s assessed value and where it is located within San Luis Obispo County.
The city’s median property tax bill is $5,215, which is well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400. That means many homeowners in Santa Maria pay more than the typical U.S. homeowner, especially when their home falls into a higher-value range. Bills in the area also show a broad spread, with the 25th percentile at $2,685 and the 75th percentile at $7,796, while the 90th percentile reaches $11,971.
For homeowners, this means property taxes can be a major part of annual housing costs, and even small changes in assessed value can have a noticeable impact on the final bill.
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo County, California
Source: Ownwell
$2,964
$6,083
$9,201
Median Santa Maria Tax Bill
$5,085
Median San Luis Obispo County Tax Bill
$5,465
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93454 | $1,778 | $2,878 | $5,215 | $7,837 | $12,537 |
| 93458 | 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 | September 15 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | October 1 |
| Due Date #1 | December 10 |
| Due Date #2 | April 10 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo Tax Assessor | |
| Website | propertyinquiryportal.slocounty.ca.gov |