Property Tax in Monterey County
via TaxByCounty
Monterey taxes well below national average
Monterey County's effective rate of 0.661% ranks among California's lowest and significantly undercuts the national median of 0.85%. Yet Monterey homeowners pay $4,782 annually—77% more than the national median of $2,690—because homes here average $723,100, nearly 2.6 times the national median value.
Monterey among lowest-taxed California counties
At 0.661%, Monterey boasts one of California's three lowest effective property tax rates, trailing the state average of 0.714% by a meaningful margin. This favorable rate gives Monterey residents an edge, though high home values still generate substantial tax bills statewide.
Monterey undercuts Napa and Orange County rates
Monterey's 0.661% effective rate beats Napa County (0.696%) and Orange County (0.666%) to the south, offering moderate tax relief in California's premium coastal corridor. Monterey homeowners save hundreds annually compared to equally valued homes in adjacent high-tax regions.
Median Monterey home costs $4,782 yearly in taxes
With a median home value of $723,100 and a 0.661% effective rate, Monterey homeowners pay roughly $4,782 in annual property taxes. With mortgage impounds, the figure climbs to $5,366; without them, it drops to $3,540.
Reassess if your home's value doesn't match sales
Monterey's booming coastal real estate market means assessments can lag behind rapid property appreciation—or sometimes overshoot actual market conditions depending on neighborhood trends. Comparing your assessed value to recent arm's-length sales nearby takes minutes and could unlock tax savings if your home is overvalued.