Los Altos, Santa Clara County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Los Altos, California
Median Los Altos, California effective property tax rate: 1.22%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and slightly higher than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Los Altos, California home value: $1,763,232
Median annual Los Altos, California tax bill: $21,537, $19,137 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Clara calculated?
Property taxes in Los Altos, 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 Los Altos's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Los Altos, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Los Altos, Santa Clara County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.22%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$21,511
$19,962
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
How Does the Los Altos Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Los Altos property tax calculator to estimate your annual tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Los Altos's median effective tax rate of 1.22% — based on actual property records in Santa Clara 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 Los Altos'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 Los Altos: rates range from $20,837 in 94022 to $21,959 in 94024, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
Los Altos's median property tax bill of $21,537 is higher than the California median of 1.21% and far above the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. If your estimate is higher than expected, Ownwell can appeal your Los Altos assessment — you only pay if we save you money.
About Los Altos Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Los Altos, Santa Clara, California
Los Altos’s median effective property tax rate of 1.22% is higher than the California state median of 1.21% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Santa Clara 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 Los Altos. Homeowners in the 94022 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.23%, while those in 94024 pay 1.22%. This spread — 0.01 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Santa Clara County. Understanding which part of Los Altos you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Los Altos 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 Los Altos, Santa Clara 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 Los Altos'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 Los Altos Tax Rate
1.22%
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 Clara County Tax Rate
1.31%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Los Altos, Santa Clara County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94022 | 1.17% | 1.19% | 1.23% | 1.31% | 1.56% |
| 94024 | 1.18% | 1.19% | 1.22% | 1.30% | 1.58% |
| 94041 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Los Altos, Santa Clara County, California
When examining property taxes in Los Altos, 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 Clara 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 Clara County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of August.
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 Los Altos.
For example, the median home price in Los Altos is $1,763,232, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 94024 has the highest median home price at $1,799,316.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Los Altos, Santa Clara County, California
Source: Ownwell
$248,609
$1,619,295
$2,989,980
Median Los Altos Market Value
$1,763,232
Median Santa Clara County Market Value
$717,300
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Los Altos, Santa Clara County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94022 | $285,284 | $811,560 | $1,697,734 | $3,111,000 | $4,487,453 |
| 94024 | $230,390 | $803,495 | $1,799,316 | $3,033,154 | $4,145,462 |
| 94041 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Los Altos, Santa Clara County, California
Property tax bills in Los Altos are based on the assessed value of a home, which is influenced by market conditions and local tax rates. With a median home price of $1,763,232, homeowners in Santa Clara County often face substantial annual tax bills. The 25th percentile tax bill is $10,507, while the 75th percentile reaches $36,553, showing how much bills can vary across the city. The 90th percentile tax bill is $50,536, which can create a major burden for homeowners as property values rise.
Your property tax bill affects your monthly budget and long-term housing costs, especially when assessed values increase faster than expected. Ownwell helps homeowners save by reviewing assessments, identifying opportunities for property tax appeals, and pursuing exemptions when available. By challenging an unfair assessed value, Ownwell can help reduce what you owe and lower your property tax bill.
Property Tax Bills Across Los Altos, Santa Clara County, California
Source: Ownwell
$2,906
$19,795
$36,683
Median Los Altos Tax Bill
$21,537
Median Santa Clara County Tax Bill
$9,592
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Los Altos, Santa Clara County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94022 | $4,480 | $10,592 | $20,837 | $37,059 | $52,637 |
| 94024 | $3,904 | $10,457 | $21,959 | $36,270 | $48,866 |
| 94041 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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 | September 15 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | October 1 |
| Due Date #1 | December 10 |
| Due Date #2 | April 10 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Santa Clara Tax Assessor | |
| Phone | (408) 299-5372 |
| Website | asr.santaclaracounty.gov |
| dawn.cieslik@asr.sccgov.org | |