[Moneyguy1]

Unless you are going to sell, the tax rate is not the most important factor. There are two more important considerations: the assessed value of the property and the amount you, as owner, pony up every year. Two areas may have identical tax rates, but the assessed value can vary widely. A $500,000 home in some California areas, comparable to a $250,000 home in, say, Tucson, could have the same rate per 1,000, but the first would be paying out twice (or more) what the second pays. I have a 2500 square foot home on over a 1/4 acre in Tucson and my full tax paid annually is $1,440 for City, County and school. The house is assessed at $145,000. My sister in law, in California, (Placentia) has a similarly sized house, nearly the same age, same size lot and her taxes are a multiple of mine. Go figure. The system in CA is extremely unfair to newcomers, reminiscent of the NYC rental regulation laws. Old timers pay lower rent than newer renters.