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Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California Property Taxes

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Property Taxes in Santa Maria, California

  • Median Santa Maria, California effective property tax rate: 1.19%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and slightly lower than the California state median of 1.21%.

  • Median Santa Maria, California home value: $322,524

  • Median annual Santa Maria, California tax bill: $4,151, $1,751 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Santa Barbara 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, Santa Barbara County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.19%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$3,838

$3,562

SAVE WITH OWNWELL

$774

Average Annual Tax Savings

How Does the Santa Maria Property Tax Calculator Work?

Use this Santa Maria property tax calculator to estimate your annual tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Santa Maria's median effective tax rate of 1.19% — based on actual property records in Santa Barbara County — to generate your estimate.

Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessor 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 $3,377.00 in 93454 to $5,081.00 in 93455, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.

Santa Maria's 1.19% median effective property tax rate is higher than the 1.02% national median, and the $4,151 median tax bill is also above the $2,400 national median. If your estimate is higher than expected, Ownwell can appeal your Santa Maria assessment — you only pay if we save you money.

About Santa Maria Property Taxes

About Property Taxes in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, California

Santa Maria’s median effective property tax rate of 1.19% 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 Maria. Homeowners in the 93455 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.38%, while those in 93454 pay 1.13%. This spread — 0.25 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 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 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 Maria, 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 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, 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 Maria Tax Rate

1.19%

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 Maria, Santa Barbara County, California

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Tax Rate75th Percentile90th Percentile
934541.09%1.10%1.13%1.16%1.26%
934551.13%1.20%1.38%1.53%1.83%
934581.07%1.11%1.14%1.24%1.32%
93434N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 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 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 Maria.

For example, the median home price in Santa Maria is $322,524, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 93455 has the highest median home price at $371,517.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California

Source: Ownwell

$33,414

$1,096,558

$2,159,701

Median Santa Maria Market Value

$322,524

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 Maria, Santa Barbara County, California

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Home Price75th Percentile90th Percentile
93454$112,878$191,838$291,550$415,544$525,323
93455$105,259$235,236$371,517$519,823$656,984
93458$56,043$171,897$282,558$406,000$490,591
93434N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California

Property tax bills in Santa Maria are calculated by applying the local property tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the market value of the property. For homeowners, that means a higher assessed value can lead to a higher tax bill, while a lower assessed value can reduce what they owe. In Santa Barbara County, property tax bills vary widely, with the 25th percentile at $2,539, the 75th percentile at $5,849, and the 90th percentile at $7,620. The median home price is $322,524, and the median tax bill ranges from $3,377 in ZIP code 93454 to $5,081 in ZIP code 93455. Compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and national median property tax bill of $2,400, many homeowners in Santa Maria face higher costs. Ownwell helps homeowners save by reviewing assessments, identifying opportunities to appeal overassessments, and finding exemptions that can lower property tax bills.

Property Tax Bills Across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California

Source: Ownwell

$318

$12,619

$24,919

Median Santa Maria Tax Bill

$4,151

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 Maria, Santa Barbara County, California

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Tax Bill75th Percentile90th Percentile
93454$1,257$2,157$3,377$4,914$6,340
93455$2,102$3,497$5,081$6,909$8,774
93458$608$1,955$3,381$5,040$6,124
93434N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A

Source: Ownwell

Don't miss the deadline to appeal!

Frequently Asked Property Tax Questions in Santa Maria, California

How are property taxes calculated in Santa Maria, California?
Property taxes in Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, California?
To appeal your property taxes in Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, California?
Common property tax exemptions in Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, California?
Property tax deadlines in Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, California?
Ownwell provides professional property tax appeal services in Santa Maria, 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.