Santa Barbara County, California Property Taxes
Census Bureau ACS property tax data for California. Population: 78,754.
The median annual property tax in Santa Barbara County is $4,870, which is 20% higher than the California state average and 153% above the national average. The effective tax rate is 0.66% on a median home value of $735,700. Property taxes represent 5.1% of the median household income in this county.
Median Annual Tax
$4,870
+20% vs State
+153% vs US
Median Home Value
$735,700
+29% vs State
+248% vs US
Effective Tax Rate
0.66%
-7% vs State
-31% vs US
With vs Without Mortgage
With Mortgage
$5,434
$453/mo
Without Mortgage
$3,762
$314/mo
Homeowners with a mortgage typically own higher-valued properties, which can result in higher tax bills.
Property Tax History
| Year | Median Tax | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $4,870 +4.3% | 0.66% |
| 2022 | $4,669 +9.2% | 0.65% |
| 2021 | $4,276 +5.2% | 0.68% |
| 2020 | $4,064 +6.5% | 0.67% |
| 2019 | $3,816 | 0.66% |
Tax Burden
Tax-to-Income Ratio
5.1%
of median household income
Median Income
$95,977
per year
Monthly Tax
$406
per month
Other Counties in California
Los Angeles County
Tax: $5,438/yr Rate: 0.69%
Yolo County
Tax: $4,567/yr Rate: 0.77%
Napa County
Tax: $5,840/yr Rate: 0.70%
Stanislaus County
Tax: $3,025/yr Rate: 0.71%
Ventura County
Tax: $5,326/yr Rate: 0.69%
Butte County
Tax: $2,819/yr Rate: 0.69%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average property tax in Santa Barbara County, California? ▼
The median annual property tax in Santa Barbara County is $4,870 based on the most recent Census Bureau American Community Survey data. The effective tax rate is 0.66% on a median home value of $735,700.
How does Santa Barbara County property tax compare to the national average? ▼
Property taxes in Santa Barbara County are 153% above the national average of $1,923. The effective rate of 0.66% compares to 0.95% nationally.
Does having a mortgage affect property taxes in Santa Barbara County? ▼
In Santa Barbara County, homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $5,434 in annual property taxes, while homeowners without a mortgage pay $3,762. This difference often reflects the value of homes rather than different tax rates.
What percentage of income goes to property taxes in Santa Barbara County? ▼
Property taxes in Santa Barbara County represent approximately 5.1% of the median household income of $95,977. The national benchmark is generally 2-4% of household income.
Explore More Data
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Property tax data reflects median amounts paid by homeowners. Effective rates are calculated as median tax divided by median home value.