How much are property taxes in San Diego, CA?

Homeowners in San Diego, CA pay a median of $5,945 (±$96) a year in real estate taxes (2020–2024 American Community Survey, table B25103).

Homes with a mortgage pay a median of $6,648.

Homes without a mortgage pay a median of $4,185.

That is about 0.7% of the median home value of $906,700.

In San Diego, the median real estate tax went from $4,100 in 2015–2019 to $5,945 in 2020–2024 (+45.0%).

Prices (CPI-U) rose 22.7% over the same years, so it rose faster than prices: a measurable increase after inflation.

Figures last updated on .

Median real estate taxes
$5,945 (±$96)
With a mortgage
$6,648
Without a mortgage
$4,185
Share of median value
0.7%

Real estate taxes in San Diego against San Diego County, its state and the nation

Median real estate taxes paid a year, estimate (90% margin of error)
San DiegoSan Diego CountyCaliforniaUnited States
Median real estate taxes$5,945 (±$96)$5,774 (±$47)$5,124 (±$17)$3,119
Homes with a mortgage$6,648 (±$113)$6,375 (±$55)$5,839 (±$17)$3,489
Homes without a mortgage$4,185 (±$132)$4,129 (±$91)$3,825 (±$19)$2,576
Median home value$906,700 (±$6,879)$854,700 (±$3,996)$734,700 (±$1,307)$332,700

In San Diego, the median real estate tax is higher than in San Diego County ($5,774).

It is also higher than in California ($5,124).

It is higher than the national figure ($3,119).

In San Diego County, San Diego ranks 21 of 48 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest median real estate taxes.

Statewide, it ranks 330 of 1,056.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Taxes as a share of home value in San Diego

The median tax ($5,945) is 0.7% of the median home value ($906,700).

Across San Diego County the same ratio is 0.7%.

Across California it is 0.7%.

This is a ratio of two medians, a rough effective rate: not the tax rate or mill rate the town, county or school district sets, and not any one home’s bill.

Owners report what they paid and what they think their home is worth; the assessor’s office publishes the actual rates and assessments.

How property taxes in San Diego have changed since 2015–2019

2015–2019 and 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates
2015–20192020–2024Amount of changeVerdict
Median real estate taxes$4,100 (±$58)$5,945 (±$96)+45.0%Up after inflation
Median home value$602,600 (±$4,036)$906,700 (±$6,879)+50.5%Up after inflation
Median owner cost with a mortgage$2,589 (±$23)$3,252 (±$30)+25.6%Up after inflation

The Census Bureau publishes 2015–2019 dollars in 2019 dollars and 2020–2024 dollars in 2024 dollars.

Prices (the CPI-U, US Bureau of Labor Statistics) rose 22.7% between 2019 and 2024, so a dollar figure’s verdict compares the two after raising the earlier one by that much, using the Census Bureau’s test for a difference.

The two periods do not overlap, as the Census Bureau recommends for 5-year estimates.

Median real estate taxes in places near San Diego

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with San Diego
PlaceDistanceMedian real estate taxesCompared with this place
San Diego—$5,945 (±$96)—
La Mesa7.3 mi$5,339 (±$273)Lower
Lemon Grove8.2 mi$4,752 (±$447)Lower
Santee9.1 mi$4,840 (±$272)Lower
El Cajon10 mi$4,533 (±$215)Lower
Casa de Oro-Mount Helix10 mi$6,104 (±$442)Not measurably different
La Presa10 mi$4,105 (±$467)Lower
National City11 mi$3,595 (±$225)Lower
Coronado11 mi$10,000 or more—

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: La Mesa, CA ($5,339), Lemon Grove, CA ($4,752), Santee, CA ($4,840).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Median real estate taxes across San Diego County, place by place

RankPlaceMedian real estate taxes
15Granite Hills$6,109 (±$1,213)
16Casa de Oro-Mount Helix$6,104 (±$442)
17Eucalyptus Hills$6,094 (±$1,959)
18Chula Vista$6,058 (±$177)
19Alpine$6,056 (±$498)
20San Diego Country Estates$6,033 (±$367)
21San Diego$5,945 (±$96)
22Bonita$5,827 (±$757)
23Rancho San Diego$5,781 (±$690)
24La Mesa$5,339 (±$273)
25Spring Valley$5,207 (±$389)
26Rainbow$5,134 (±$784)
27Ramona$5,064 (±$436)

Showing 13 of 48 places in San Diego County, ranked from highest to lowest.

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates), compared with 2015–2019.

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about San Diego

How much are property taxes in San Diego?

The median real estate tax paid by homeowners in San Diego, CA is $5,945 (±$96) a year (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What is the property tax rate in San Diego?

The Census Bureau does not publish tax rates; as a rough guide, the median tax paid is 0.7% of the median home value in San Diego, and the actual rate is set by the town, county and school district.

Have property taxes in San Diego gone up?

In San Diego, the median real estate tax went from $4,100 in 2015–2019 to $5,945 in 2020–2024 (+45.0%).

Prices (CPI-U) rose 22.7% over the same years, so it rose faster than prices: a measurable increase after inflation.

Are property taxes in San Diego higher than in San Diego County?

In San Diego, the median real estate tax is higher than in San Diego County ($5,774).

It is also higher than in California ($5,124).

It is higher than the national figure ($3,119).

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for San Diego city, California (place:66000, in state:06).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The 2015–2019 figures are B25103_001E, B25103_001M, B25077_001E, B25077_001M, B25088_002E, B25088_002M from the 2019 release.

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

B25103_001E, B25103_001M, B25103_002E, B25103_002M, B25103_003E, B25103_003M, DP04_0089E, DP04_0089M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.

Figures last updated on .

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