If you are buying in Marin, "what are the property taxes?" has a simple base answer and an important set of details on top. Understanding both keeps your budget realistic.
The base is California's Proposition 13. Your assessed value starts at your purchase price, and the base statewide tax is 1% of that value, with the assessment allowed to rise no more than 2% per year while you own. So a Marin buyer's starting point is roughly 1% of what they paid.
On top of the 1% base come voter-approved bonds and assessments, which vary by town and tax rate area. In Marin, those push the total ad-valorem rate to roughly 1.06% to 1.22% depending on the specific location for the 2025 to 2026 year, before any flat parcel taxes are added (property tax data sources). For a new buyer, a practical planning range is about 1.0% to 1.25% of purchase price, with the exact figure set by the bonds tied to your address. Cities like San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, and Larkspur generally sit within that band. On a $1.5 million purchase, that means roughly $15,000 to $18,750 per year, plus any fixed parcel taxes.
Here is the part people find confusing. You will see Marin's median property tax bill quoted around $10,001, and its "effective rate" quoted below 1%, sometimes near 0.72% to 0.81% of current market value (propertytaxrates.org, Ownwell). That average is real but misleading for a new buyer. It is pulled down by long-term owners whose assessed values are locked in from purchases made years or decades ago at much lower prices. Because your tax is based on your purchase price, not the neighborhood average, a new buyer paying today's market price will typically owe more than that headline "effective rate" suggests. Two identical homes on the same street can carry very different bills purely based on when each last sold.
A reasonable rule of thumb: budget about 1.1% to 1.25% of your purchase price for the annual ad-valorem tax, then add any parcel taxes and special assessments for your town, which can total a few hundred to over a thousand dollars a year. The county assessor and your title officer can confirm the exact rate for a specific address.
If you are weighing a Marin purchase and want the actual tax rate area figure for a home you are considering, I can help you track it down so there are no surprises at closing. Reach me through the contact page or at paarth@brokerbela.com. I am a REALTOR, not a tax advisor, so confirm specifics with the county or your accountant.
The base is 1% of purchase price under Prop 13, and voter-approved bonds bring the total rate to roughly 1.0% to 1.25% for most Marin towns, plus flat parcel taxes. A new buyer's bill is based on their purchase price, so it is usually higher than the county's sub-1% average effective rate, which reflects long-term owners.
Sources
This is general market commentary, not financial, investment, or legal advice; figures are as of publication and can change. Verify specifics, including any school assignments, ratings, or boundaries, independently. Bela Realty & Investments is committed to Equal Housing Opportunity and does not steer clients toward or away from any neighborhood on the basis of a protected characteristic.