Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Santa Barbara, California
Median Santa Barbara, California effective property tax rate: 1.09%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Santa Barbara, California home value: $765,868
Median annual Santa Barbara, California tax bill: $8,699, $6,299 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Barbara County calculated?
Property taxes in Santa Barbara, 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 Barbara's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Santa Barbara, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.09%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$8,348
$7,747
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
How Does the Santa Barbara Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Santa Barbara property tax calculator to estimate your annual tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Santa Barbara's median effective tax rate of 1.09% — based on actual property records in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara'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 Barbara: rates range from $7,143.00 in 93101 to $24,919.00 in 93108, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
If your estimate is higher than expected, Ownwell can appeal your Santa Barbara assessment — you only pay if we save you money.
About Santa Barbara Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara’s median effective property tax rate of 1.09% is lower than the California state median of 1.21% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Santa Barbara 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 Barbara. Homeowners in the 93111 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.16%, while those in 93109 pay 1.08%. This spread — 0.08 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Santa Barbara County. Understanding which part of Santa Barbara you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara 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 Barbara'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 Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California
Source: Ownwell
1.06%
1.22%
1.38%
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 Barbara Tax Rate
1.09%
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 Barbara County Tax Rate
1.13%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93101 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.08% | 1.09% | 1.12% |
| 93103 | 1.07% | 1.08% | 1.08% | 1.09% | 1.14% |
| 93105 | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.08% | 1.10% | 1.14% |
| 93108 | 1.07% | 1.08% | 1.10% | 1.17% | 1.42% |
| 93109 | 1.06% | 1.07% | 1.08% | 1.08% | 1.11% |
| 93110 | 1.09% | 1.10% | 1.13% | 1.21% | 1.41% |
| 93111 | 1.10% | 1.12% | 1.16% | 1.25% | 1.57% |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California
When examining property taxes in Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara County assessor 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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara.
For example, the median home price in Santa Barbara is $765,868, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 93108 has the highest median home price at $2,159,701.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California
Source: Ownwell
$33,414
$1,096,558
$2,159,701
Median Santa Barbara Market Value
$765,868
Median Santa Barbara County Market Value
$419,527
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93101 | $141,756 | $330,045 | $650,977 | $1,025,668 | $1,545,302 |
| 93103 | $131,758 | $333,544 | $680,750 | $1,223,882 | $2,106,835 |
| 93105 | $160,928 | $398,825 | $744,318 | $1,217,473 | $1,779,955 |
| 93108 | $365,033 | $1,045,053 | $2,159,701 | $4,081,272 | $7,130,904 |
| 93109 | $128,243 | $354,211 | $835,540 | $1,444,136 | $2,184,490 |
| 93110 | $95,660 | $246,571 | $664,107 | $1,237,023 | $2,549,798 |
| 93111 | $119,990 | $301,038 | $611,793 | $1,004,535 | $1,473,350 |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California
Property tax bills in Santa Barbara 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 $765,868, bills can vary widely depending on the property’s assessed value, location, and any eligible exemptions. In Santa Barbara, the 25th percentile tax bill is $4,198, while the 75th percentile is $15,489 and the 90th percentile reaches $28,511. That means many homeowners pay well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and the national median property tax rate of 1.02%.
The result is that even small changes in assessment can have a big impact on a homeowner’s annual tax bill. Ownwell can help homeowners save by reviewing assessments, identifying savings opportunities, and filing appeals or exemption applications when appropriate. In Santa Barbara, that can make a meaningful difference for homeowners facing high property taxes.
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California
Source: Ownwell
$318
$12,619
$24,919
Median Santa Barbara Tax Bill
$8,699
Median Santa Barbara County Tax Bill
$5,164
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93101 | $1,518 | $3,597 | $7,143 | $11,369 | $17,250 |
| 93103 | $1,477 | $3,684 | $7,576 | $13,458 | $23,544 |
| 93105 | $1,834 | $4,469 | $8,368 | $13,529 | $19,768 |
| 93108 | $5,208 | $12,459 | $24,919 | $46,368 | $79,662 |
| 93109 | $1,398 | $3,972 | $9,261 | $16,237 | $24,505 |
| 93110 | $1,363 | $3,164 | $7,818 | $14,250 | $29,267 |
| 93111 | $1,829 | $3,810 | $7,228 | $11,563 | $16,912 |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With 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 | |
|---|---|
| Santa Barbara Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.sbcvote.com |