California Transfer Tax by City
27 cities charge their own transfer tax on top of the county's $1.10 per $1,000.
Every California county charges a documentary transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price, and in most cities that's all buyers and sellers pay ($1,100 on a $1 million home). These 27 charter cities add their own tax, so the total on $1 million ranges up to $16,100 in Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville and Oakland. Pick a city for its brackets, examples and a calculator.
Cities with their own transfer tax
| City | County | City rate | Total on $1M | Total on $3M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | Alameda | $15.00 per $1,000 (1.5%) | $16,100 | $48,300 |
| Berkeley | Alameda | 1.5% to 2.5% depending on price | $16,100 | $78,300 |
| Emeryville | Alameda | 1.2% to 2.5% depending on price | $16,100 | $78,300 |
| Oakland | Alameda | 1% to 2.5% depending on price | $16,100 | $55,800 |
| Piedmont | Alameda | $13.00 per $1,000 (1.3%) | $14,100 | $42,300 |
| Richmond | Contra Costa | 0.7% to 3% depending on price | $13,600 | $78,300 |
| Alameda | Alameda | $12.00 per $1,000 (1.2%) | $13,100 | $39,300 |
| El Cerrito | Contra Costa | $12.00 per $1,000 (1.2%) | $13,100 | $39,300 |
| San Leandro | Alameda | $11.00 per $1,000 (1.1%) | $12,100 | $36,300 |
| Hayward | Alameda | $8.50 per $1,000 (0.85%) | $9,600 | $28,800 |
| San Francisco | San Francisco | 0.5% to 6% depending on price | $7,500 | $22,500 |
| San Mateo | San Mateo | 0.5% to 1.5% depending on price | $6,100 | $18,300 |
| Culver City | Los Angeles | 0.45% to 4% in brackets | $5,600 | $32,550 |
| Los Angeles | Los Angeles | 0.45% plus Measure ULA tax of 4% to 5.5% on high-value sales | $5,600 | $16,800 |
| Mountain View | Santa Clara | 0.33% to 1.5% depending on price | $4,400 | $13,200 |
| Palo Alto | Santa Clara | $3.30 per $1,000 (0.33%) | $4,400 | $13,200 |
| San Jose | Santa Clara | 0.33% plus Measure E tax of 0.75% to 1.5% on high-value sales | $4,400 | $35,700 |
| Vallejo | Solano | $3.30 per $1,000 (0.33%) | $4,400 | $13,200 |
| Santa Monica | Los Angeles | 0.3% to 5.6% depending on price | $4,100 | $12,300 |
| Sacramento | Sacramento | $2.75 per $1,000 (0.275%) | $3,850 | $11,550 |
| Pomona | Los Angeles | $2.20 per $1,000 (0.22%) | $3,300 | $9,900 |
| Redondo Beach | Los Angeles | $2.20 per $1,000 (0.22%) | $3,300 | $9,900 |
| Petaluma | Sonoma | $2.00 per $1,000 (0.2%) | $3,100 | $9,300 |
| San Rafael | Marin | $2.00 per $1,000 (0.2%) | $3,100 | $9,300 |
| Santa Rosa | Sonoma | $2.00 per $1,000 (0.2%) | $3,100 | $9,300 |
| Riverside | Riverside | $1.10 per $1,000 (0.11%) | $2,200 | $6,600 |
| Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz | 0.5% to 2% in brackets | $1,100 | $11,800 |
Totals include the county tax (San Francisco's tax replaces it). Sorted by the total on a $1 million sale. Some cities' rates jump at high prices, so the order changes for expensive homes.
Changes ahead
- Berkeley: new rates from January 1, 2027. Measure W (November 2024) rates from January 1, 2027. The $1.6 million, $1.9 million and $3.0 million thresholds are the 60th, 80th and 95th percentile sale prices and will be recalculated before they take effect, then every January 1.
- San Rafael: Measure W on the November 3, 2026 ballot would raise the tax from 0.2% ($2 per $1,000) to 1% ($10 per $1,000). It needs a majority vote.
How the county and city taxes fit together
Revenue and Taxation Code 11911 lets each county charge $0.55 for every $500 of value (or fraction of $500), not counting loans the buyer takes over. A general-law city can charge half of that, but its tax is credited against the county's, so the total stays $1.10 per $1,000. Charter cities aren't bound by that limit and can set their own rate by charter and voter approval; these are the cities on this list. Some apply one rate to the whole price based on which bracket it falls in, while Culver City and Santa Cruz tax each slice of the price at its own rate. The transfer tax calculator handles every city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which California cities have their own transfer tax?
27 charter cities add their own tax on top of the county's $1.10 per $1,000 (San Francisco's single tax replaces it): Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, Piedmont, Richmond, Alameda, El Cerrito, San Leandro, Hayward, San Francisco, San Mateo, Culver City, Los Angeles, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Vallejo, Santa Monica, Sacramento, Pomona, Redondo Beach, Petaluma, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, Riverside and Santa Cruz. Everywhere else, buyers and sellers pay $1.10 per $1,000 in total.
Which California city has the highest transfer tax?
On a $1 million sale, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville and Oakland tie for the highest total at $16,100. On a $10 million sale, Santa Monica is highest at $571,000, because of its high-value tier.
Why do only some cities charge their own transfer tax?
Revenue and Taxation Code 11911 lets counties charge $0.55 per $500 and general-law cities charge half that, credited against the county tax, so the total stays $1.10 per $1,000. Charter cities can set their own rate under their charter, and these are the ones that do.
Educational information only, not tax or legal advice. Transfer taxes have exemptions and special cases not shown here; the escrow or title company calculates the exact amount at closing.