What It Costs to Own a Home in La Jolla 92037: Property Taxes, Trash Fees and More
Owning a home in La Jolla (ZIP 92037) costs more than a mortgage. You'll also pay property tax, a City trash fee and, if you buy a condo, HOA dues. On a $2,000,000 purchase, the base property tax alone is about $20,000 a year, or roughly $1,667 a month, before any extra charges.
The short answer
- California's Proposition 13 caps the general property tax rate at 1% of a property's full cash value, per the County of San Diego.
- Many bills add voter-approved bond rates and special taxes on top of the 1%.
- When ownership changes, the County resets the assessed value, so your bill can be much higher than the seller's.
- The City of San Diego trash fee for 95-gallon service is $43.60 a month, billed on the County property tax bill.
How property tax works: the 1% base
The County of San Diego explains that Proposition 13, passed in 1978, caps the general property tax rate at 1% of a property's full cash value. That rate covers the land and the buildings on it, and the money is shared among local agencies.
| Purchase price | Base tax per year | Base tax per month |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500,000 | $15,000 | $1,250 |
| $2,000,000 | $20,000 | $1,667 |
| $2,500,000 | $25,000 | $2,083 |
| $3,000,000 | $30,000 | $2,500 |
These are examples, not quotes. Your real bill depends on the assessed value and the charges that apply to that exact address. For a plain-English walk through the rules, see my guide to San Diego property taxes and Prop 13.
What gets added on top of the 1%
The County says many bills also include extra rates for voter-approved bond debt. Bills can include direct assessments and special taxes too, like Mello-Roos and fixed charges from special districts. By law, those charges can't be based on a property's value. They're based on other features of the property or the benefit it gets. The agency that levies the charge handles questions about it.
That's why two homes with the same price can have different tax bills. It's smart to look at the actual breakdown for the exact address before you write an offer. If you want to know how special taxes work, I wrote a general guide to Mello-Roos taxes in San Diego.
Why your bill may be higher than the seller's
Each year the County Assessor determines the taxable value of a property as of the January 1 lien date. When ownership changes or new construction is finished, the County issues a supplemental assessment. It captures the difference between the old assessed value and the new value, and taxes that difference for the part of the year that's left.
Here's a simple example, and it's made up. Say the seller's assessed value is $900,000 because they bought years ago. The base tax on that is about $9,000 a year. If you buy at $2,000,000, the base tax on your new value is about $20,000 a year. That's about $11,000 more each year, or roughly $917 a month. Looking at the seller's old bill can really mislead you.
The City trash fee
San Diego now charges many homeowners for trash service. As of this writing, the City lists $43.60 a month for 95-gallon service. For fiscal year 2026 that's $523.20 for the year, billed in two installments of $261.60 on the County property tax bill. The City says the FY2026 and FY2027 rates are unchanged and that reduced rates start July 1, 2027.
A smaller bin earns a credit on your next tax bill, and extra containers cost at least $6.01 a month. The fee applies to owners of eligible residential properties that get City trash service.
Condos and townhomes: HOA dues
If you're buying a condo or townhome, the HOA is another monthly cost, and it can change over time. Some complexes may also use private trash service instead of the City's, so ask whether the City fee applies. The rules for dues and special assessments are different from property tax. I put together a plain checklist on buying a condo near UCSD and UTC.
Putting it together
| Item | Per month |
|---|---|
| Base property tax (1%) | $1,667 |
| City trash fee, 95-gallon service | $43.60 |
| Starting total | $1,710 |
So the starting point is about $1,710 a month before the extra voter-approved rates, any special taxes, HOA dues, insurance and upkeep. Add those once you know the details for the home you want.
This is not a guarantee
Tax rates, special charges and City fees change, and the example prices above aren't real homes. The reduced trash rates the City mentions start in 2027, so the numbers you see today may not be the numbers you pay later. Treat this as a way to ask better questions, not a quote.
My advice for San Diego buyers
- Ask for the tax breakdown for the exact address, including any special taxes.
- Budget from your purchase price, not the seller's old tax bill.
- Add the trash fee, HOA dues if there are any, insurance and upkeep to your monthly number.
- Compare the total cost of owning in different areas. My University City vs. La Jolla price comparison is a good place to start.
Call or text me at (619) 402-4614 or send me a message.
Call or text (619) 402-4614Contact Trevor LandressRelated guides
- UTC and University City 92122: homes, growth plans and what to know
- University City 92122 vs. La Jolla 92037: home prices compared
- Buying a condo near UCSD and UTC: what to check
- Carmel Valley 92130 housing market: August 2026
- La Jolla home prices: what the market data shows
Frequently asked questions
How much is property tax in La Jolla?
The base rate is 1% of the assessed value, which is about $20,000 a year on a $2,000,000 purchase. Your bill can also include extra voter-approved rates and special taxes, so ask for the breakdown for the exact address.
Will my property tax go up after I buy?
It can. When a home sells, the County Assessor sets a new assessed value, and a supplemental bill covers the difference between the old and new values for the rest of that tax year. After that, your regular bill is based on the new value.
Is trash pickup free in San Diego?
Not for homes that get City trash service. The City bills a fee on the County property tax bill. For 95-gallon service, the City lists $43.60 a month.
Does La Jolla have Mello-Roos?
Some San Diego properties have Mello-Roos or other special taxes, and some don't. Special taxes show up as separate lines on the County tax bill, so check the bill for the exact address.
Good to know: I'm a REALTOR, not a tax advisor. Property tax rules and bills are specific to each property, so confirm the details with a CPA or tax professional and the County before you buy.
About the author
Trevor Landress is a San Diego REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker West (DRE# 02126901). He was born and raised in San Diego and has been licensed since 2021. Trevor helps homeowners sell, guides first-time buyers through the home buying process and assists investors with their next acquisition. His work includes negotiating offers, analyzing market trends, building pricing strategies and running marketing campaigns for his listings.
He serves clients across San Diego County, from coastal communities like La Jolla, Del Mar and Carlsbad to neighborhoods inland. Trevor is part of the Campbell Group, a three-generation real estate team, and he and the Campbell Group consistently rank as a top producing team at Coldwell Banker West each month. He writes these guides to help San Diego buyers and sellers navigate an ever-changing market. To talk through your plans, call or text (619) 402-4614 or contact Trevor Landress.
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