Buying a home in California
Property taxes, transfer taxes, home values and first-time buyer help in California.
For home buyers in California: the taxes and typical costs of buying, with official sources.
How we estimated
County documentary transfer tax of $0.55 per $500 ($1.10 per $1,000), with conforming cities taking half as a credit (Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §§11911, 11931). Some charter cities add their own tax; e.g., the City of Los Angeles adds $4.50 per $1,000 (0.45%). Who pays varies by county; usually the seller. Sources: Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §11911 · L.A. County Registrar-Recorder. Checked 2026-10-15.At California's effective rate of 0.7%, a typical $761,538 home would owe about $5,331/year ($444/month) in property taxes. Actual bills depend on your county, city and exemptions. Run your numbers.
California Housing Finance Agency
Your state housing finance agency offers down payment assistance and low-rate mortgages for eligible buyers. Visit California Housing Finance Agency →
Next steps
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year (B25103, B25077); Zillow Home Value Index; TallyClose closing-cost dataset (CC BY 4.0), which cites each state statute; NCSHA HFA directory. Last updated 2026-11-01.
Common questions
What is the property tax rate in California?
The effective property tax rate in California is 0.7%: the median tax of $5,124 divided by the median home value of $734,700 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024).
What is a typical home value in California?
$761,538 in September 2026, according to the Zillow Home Value Index.
Who offers first-time homebuyer help in California?
California Housing Finance Agency, the state housing finance agency, offers down payment assistance and lower-rate loans for eligible buyers.
Updated . Official sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, Zillow Research ZHVI.
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