Santa Maria, CA Property Tax Rates
Compare property tax rates across 3 ZIP codes in Santa Maria, California.
Avg Tax Rate
0.68%
Avg Annual Tax
$3,468
Avg Home Value
$503,533
ZIP Codes
3
Property Tax Overview: Santa Maria, CA
Santa Maria has 3 ZIP codes with property tax data. The average effective tax rate across these ZIPs is 0.68%, which is near the California average of 0.69%. Annual property taxes range from $2,799 (ZIP 93458) to $4,529 (ZIP 93455).
For a home at Santa Maria's median value of $503,533, property taxes add approximately $286/month to housing costs. Santa Maria home values are below the California median of $744,838, which moderates the overall monthly tax burden.
Property tax rates within Santa Maria vary by 0.18 percentage points across its ZIP codes. This variation typically reflects different school district boundaries, special assessment zones, and municipal service areas within the city.
Santa Maria vs California Average
Effective Tax Rate
2% below state average
Annual Property Tax
Median Home Value
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average property tax rate in Santa Maria, CA?
The average effective property tax rate in Santa Maria, California is 0.68%, based on 3 ZIP codes.
How much is property tax in Santa Maria, CA?
The average median annual property tax in Santa Maria is $3,468 per year, with a median home value of $503,533.
Which ZIP code in Santa Maria has the lowest property tax rate?
ZIP code 93458 has the lowest effective tax rate in Santa Maria at 0.61%, with a median annual tax of $2,799.
How many ZIP codes are in Santa Maria, CA?
Santa Maria, California has 3 ZIP codes with property tax data available.
Which ZIP code in Santa Maria has the highest property tax rate?
ZIP code 93455 has the highest effective tax rate in Santa Maria at 0.79%, with a median annual tax of $4,529.
How do Santa Maria property taxes compare to the California average?
Santa Maria's average effective property tax rate of 0.68% is near the California state average of 0.69%.
What factors affect property tax rates between ZIP codes in Santa Maria?
Property tax rate differences within Santa Maria are typically driven by school district boundaries (which can account for 40–60% of a tax bill), special assessment zones for fire, water, or transit services, and whether a ZIP falls within city limits or an unincorporated area. Each taxing jurisdiction sets its own rate, which is why adjacent ZIP codes can have noticeably different effective rates.
Tips for Santa Maria Homeowners
- •Appeal your assessment: If your home is assessed higher than its market value, you can file a property tax appeal. Studies suggest 30–60% of properties are over-assessed. Most counties offer a free informal review process.
- •Check your exemptions: Homestead exemptions can reduce your taxable value and are available to primary residents in most states. Senior, veteran, and disability exemptions may also apply. Exemptions must typically be applied for — they are not automatic.
- •Know your assessment cycle: California reassesses properties periodically. After buying a home, your next tax bill may reflect a new assessment based on your purchase price. Budget accordingly, especially if you bought above prior assessed values.
- •Compare ZIP codes before buying: Even within Santa Maria, effective tax rates can vary significantly across ZIP codes due to different school district overlays. Use PropertyTaxByZip to compare specific ZIPs before choosing a neighborhood.
Looking for county-level property tax data? View Santa Barbara County on TaxByCounty.com
Data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates (ZCTA level). ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) are Census approximations of USPS ZIP codes.
Estimates are informational only and should not be used as financial or legal advice.