Stanley Bae of Orange County, CA is a real estate professional and in the following article, Stan Bae names the Californian cities with the lowest property taxes.
California is often viewed as a notoriously expensive state and for good reason—it has some of the priciest real estates in the nation and the cost of living is roughly 22% higher than the rest of the country. Yet California’s property taxes are actually below the national average notes Stanley Bae of Orange County. This helps to offset the costs of living and makes California more attractive to potential home buyers.
Even though Californian property taxes rank below the national average, there are a handful of cities that make the list for the lowest property taxes in the Golden State. Stanley Bae of Orange County takes a look at which cities top this list and explores what they have to offer new residents.
1. Alturas, Modoc County, California
As of 2021,
Modoc County had the lowest property taxes in California, mainly because the young town is brimming with affordable housing and maintains a low population of around 10,000 people. For example, Stanley Bae of Orange County says the median home price is roughly $700,000 lower than the average median home price in the Golden State. This makes it difficult to set property taxes too high, considering the low price of homes.
Located in the Northeastern corner of California, Alturas, Modoc County may be small but it’s a surprisingly cozy town, home to ranches and farms, like what you’d see in an old-school western. Much of this land is federally owned and maintained, meaning that much of the local population work for the federal government.
If country living sounds like a dream, Stanley Bae of Orange County says expect to pay no more than $953 a year in property taxes, on average
2. Weaverville, Trinity County, California
Stan Bae noes that Trinity County is located in the Northernmost region of the state, bordering Oregon. It’s a rather rural area with a population of roughly 13,000 people. The median home price is $337,000, which is affordable compared to most of California, helping to keep the property taxes at an average of just $1,081 a year.
Weaverville, the county seat of Trinity County, is a former gold rush town that has managed to maintain its small-town charm. The town is home to a handful of mom-and-pop shops, cafes, and restaurants. Although it’s not a brimming metropolis, Weaverville is the perfect place to retire, raise a family, or invest in property for country outings.
3. Red Bluff, Tehama County, California
Stanley Bae of Orange County explains that with a median home price of $395,000, Tehama County is one of the more affordable areas in Northern California. The population is also relatively low at around 63,000 people. This makes it difficult to set property taxes too high when the median home price is so low. In fact, the average property tax bill in Tehama County is just $1,186 a year.
The county seat of Tehama County is the city of Red Bluff. This small city is located just north of Sacramento, making it a great place to commute to work or to enjoy the perks of city living without actually living in a big city. Red Bluff is home to a number of parks and recreation areas, as well as a historic downtown district.
4. Susanville, Lassen County, California
Stanley Bae of Orange County explains that Lassen County comes in at a close second, with an average property tax bill of $1,234 per year. Susanville, the county seat and largest city, is located in the northeastern part of California and boasts a population of around 15,000 people. Like Alturas, Susanville is a ranching town with a historic downtown area and a number of parks and recreation opportunities.
One of the
main attractions in Susanville is the Beckwourth Trail, a 26-mile-long trail that’s perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. In the winter, the trail is even used for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Thanks to its diverse landscape, Stan Bae explains that there’s no shortage of things to do in Susanville, especially if for outdoors enthusiasts.
5. Yreka, Siskiyou County, California
Siskiyou County is the third county on this list and Yreka, the county seat, has an average property tax bill of $1,245 per year. Yreka is located in the far northern part of California, near the Oregon border, and has a population of around 7,500 people. The town is best known as the gateway to the Mt. Shasta area, which is popular for hiking, climbing, and camping.
In addition to its outdoor recreation, Stanley Bae of Orange County says Yreka is also home to a number of historic landmarks, like the Siskiyou County Courthouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Thanks to its small-town charm and array of activities, Yreka is a great place to call home, especially if you don’t mind a little snow in the winter.
Final Thoughts
Although California is often thought of as an expensive and unlivable state, there are plenty of affordable areas located throughout the rural Northeast. If you can make do with rural living, you’ll find plenty of low-priced housing matched with low property taxes.
