California transfer tax calculator
California has no state transfer tax on an ordinary sale. But 30 county and city transfer taxes apply, based on where the home is. Pick the county in the calculator to see the amount.
Below is every California transfer tax rate, state, county and city, and who pays it by custom. Pick a county in the calculator to add local rates. Rates checked 2026-10-10.
Free California seller net sheet calculator
Change any number and the local costs update.
| Real estate commission (5%) | −$41,750 |
| First mortgage payoff | −$500,000 |
| County documentary transfer tax | −$919 |
| Release / satisfaction recording | −$105 |
| Title insurance and settlement | −$2,909 |
| Other closing fees | −$75 |
| Estimated net to seller | $289,243 |
How much is the transfer tax in California?
It depends on where the home is. The table lists all 30 county and city transfer taxes, with who pays each one by custom.
| Tax | Level | Rate | Who pays by custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| County documentary transfer taxApplies: except San Francisco | County | $1.10 per $1,000 ($0.55 per $500) | Seller |
| San Francisco transfer tax | City | 0.5% / 0.68% / 0.75% / 2.25% / 5.5% / 6% of the whole price by bracket | Seller |
| City of Los Angeles transfer tax | City | $2.25 per $500 | Seller |
| Los Angeles Measure ULA transfer tax | City | 4% over $5.4M; 5.5% at $10.9M+ (whole price), closings from July 1, 2026 | Seller |
| Culver City transfer taxApplies: Los Angeles County | City | 0.45% to $1.5M, 1.5% to $3M, 3% to $10M, 4% above (marginal) | Seller |
| Santa Monica transfer taxApplies: Los Angeles County | City | $3 per $1,000 under $5M; $6 per $1,000 $5M-$8M; 5.6% at $8M+ (Measure GS) | Seller |
| Pomona transfer taxApplies: Los Angeles County | City | $2.20 per $1,000 | Seller |
| Redondo Beach transfer taxApplies: Los Angeles County | City | $2.20 per $1,000 | Seller |
| Oakland transfer taxApplies: Alameda County | City | 1% / 1.5% / 1.75% / 2.5% by bracket (whole price); split by custom | Split 50/50 |
| Berkeley transfer taxApplies: Alameda County | City | 1.5% to $1.7M, 2.5% above (whole price) | Split 50/50 |
| City of Alameda transfer tax | City | $12.00 per $1,000 | Split 50/50 |
| Albany transfer taxApplies: Alameda County | City | $15.00 per $1,000 | Split 50/50 |
| Emeryville transfer taxApplies: Alameda County | City | 1.2% under $1M, 1.5% to $2M, 2.5% above (whole price) | Split 50/50 |
| Hayward transfer taxApplies: Alameda County | City | $8.50 per $1,000 | Split 50/50 |
| Piedmont transfer taxApplies: Alameda County | City | $13.00 per $1,000 | Split 50/50 |
| San Leandro transfer taxApplies: Alameda County | City | $11.00 per $1,000 | Split 50/50 |
| Richmond transfer taxApplies: Contra Costa County | City | 0.7% under $1M; 1.25% $1M-$2,999,999; 2.5% $3M-$9,999,999; 3% at $10M+ (whole price) | Split 50/50 |
| El Cerrito transfer taxApplies: Contra Costa County | City | $12.00 per $1,000 | Split 50/50 |
| San Jose conveyance taxApplies: Santa Clara County | City | $3.30 per $1,000 | Split 50/50 |
| San Jose Measure E transfer tax (over $2.3M)Applies: Santa Clara County | City | 0.75% over $2.3M to $5M; 1% over $5M to $10M; 1.5% over $10M (whole price) | Split 50/50 |
| Mountain View transfer taxApplies: Santa Clara County | City | $3.30 per $1,000; $15 per $1,000 over $6M (Measure G) | Split 50/50 |
| Palo Alto transfer taxApplies: Santa Clara County | City | $3.30 per $1,000 | Split 50/50 |
| City of San Mateo transfer tax | City | 0.5%; 1.5% at $10M+ (Measure CC) | Split 50/50 |
| City of Sacramento transfer tax | City | $2.75 per $1,000 | Split 50/50 |
| San Rafael transfer taxApplies: Marin County | City | $2.00 per $1,000 | Seller |
| Vallejo transfer taxApplies: Solano County | City | $3.30 per $1,000 | Seller |
| Petaluma transfer taxApplies: Sonoma County | City | $2.00 per $1,000 | Seller |
| Santa Rosa transfer taxApplies: Sonoma County | City | $2.00 per $1,000 | Seller |
| City of Riverside transfer tax | City | $1.10 per $1,000 | Seller |
| Santa Cruz Measure C transfer tax | City | 0.5%/1%/1.5%/2% on value above $1.8M (marginal), max $200,000 | Split 50/50 |
Who pays the transfer tax in California?
It depends on the county or city. The table lists who pays each local tax by custom. The purchase contract can change who pays.
How does the California transfer tax change with price?
It goes up with the price. On a $1,000,000 home, it is about $1,100 with no county picked.
| Sale price | Seller pays | Buyer pays | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $275 | $0 | $275 |
| $500,000 | $550 | $0 | $550 |
| $835,000 typical home | $918.50 | $0 | $918.50 |
| $1,000,000 | $1,100 | $0 | $1,100 |
Is the California transfer tax different by county?
Yes. 1 of 58 California counties has a different total on an $835,000 sale. The rest owe $919.
| County | Seller pays | Buyer pays | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco County | $5,678 | $0 | $5,678 |
Are there transfer tax exemptions in California?
Often, yes. Transfers between spouses, to a living trust, and by gift or inheritance are often exempt or taxed less. So are some first-time buyer and low-price sales. The calculator covers an ordinary home sale. Check an exemption with the title company or the county recorder before you count on it.
Sources
- sf.gov
- finance.lacity.gov
- Fidelity National Title 'Who Pays What in California' county chart
- Chicago Title 2026 California Customary Practices Guide (06/26)
- californiacityfinance.com
- lavote.gov
Checked 2026-10-10. These are estimates, not tax advice. The title or escrow company confirms the final figures.
California transfer tax questions
How much is the transfer tax in California?
California has no state transfer tax on an ordinary sale. But 30 county and city transfer taxes apply, based on where the home is. Pick the county in the calculator to see the amount.
Who pays the transfer tax in California?
It depends on the county or city. The table lists who pays each local tax by custom. The purchase contract can change who pays.
How much is the transfer tax on a $500,000 home in California?
About $550 at statewide rates. A county or city tax adds to it where one applies.
Does the buyer pay transfer tax in California?
Not by custom. The seller usually pays the California transfer tax, but some local taxes are split or paid by the buyer.
Is the transfer tax deductible?
Not as a tax. For a seller, the transfer tax is a selling expense that lowers the gain on the sale. A buyer who pays it adds it to the home's cost basis (IRS Publications 523 and 551). Ask a tax adviser about your sale.
When is the transfer tax paid?
At closing. The title or escrow company collects it from the side that owes it. It pays the tax when the deed is recorded.
Put the transfer tax on a seller net sheet.
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