Santa Cruz County, California Property Taxes
Median Santa Cruz County effective property tax rate: 1.26%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Santa Cruz County home value: $477,836
Median annual Santa Cruz County tax bill: $6,319, $3,919 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Cruz County calculated?
Property taxes in Santa Cruz County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Santa Cruz or another part of Santa Cruz County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Santa Cruz County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.26%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$6,021
$5,587
Property Tax Rates Across Santa Cruz County, California
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Santa Cruz County Tax Rate
1.26%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Santa Cruz County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptos | 1.15% | 1.21% | 1.28% | 1.42% | 1.78% |
| Ben Lomond | 1.23% | 1.24% | 1.28% | 1.37% | 1.62% |
| Boulder Creek | 1.23% | 1.26% | 1.31% | 1.48% | 1.92% |
| Brookdale | 1.24% | 1.25% | 1.30% | 1.42% | 1.68% |
| Capitola | 1.20% | 1.25% | 1.34% | 1.58% | 2.26% |
| Felton | 1.25% | 1.29% | 1.37% | 1.54% | 2.04% |
| Freedom | 1.19% | 1.21% | 1.23% | 1.41% | 1.82% |
| Los Gatos | 1.17% | 1.20% | 1.25% | 1.40% | 1.78% |
| Mount Hermon | 1.21% | 1.25% | 1.31% | 1.48% | 2.10% |
| Paradise Park | 1.37% | 1.46% | 2.01% | 2.79% | 3.77% |
| Santa Cruz | 1.14% | 1.17% | 1.23% | 1.39% | 1.75% |
| Scotts Valley | 1.14% | 1.19% | 1.23% | 1.31% | 1.53% |
| Soquel | 1.11% | 1.16% | 1.28% | 1.46% | 1.89% |
| Watsonville | 1.17% | 1.20% | 1.23% | 1.34% | 1.64% |
| Davenport | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| La Selva Bch | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mt Madonna | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pescadero | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Cruz County, California
When examining property taxes in Santa Cruz County, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Santa Cruz County Assessor's Office estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
In Santa Cruz County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Santa Cruz County. For example, the median tax bill in Santa Cruz County is $5,736, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Los Gatos has the highest median home price at $768,792.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
$64,992
$417,597
$770,201
Median Santa Cruz County Market Value
$477,836
Median California Market Value
$378,421
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Cruz County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptos | $163,457 | $355,412 | $631,015 | $943,500 | $1,346,400 |
| Ben Lomond | $119,970 | $250,829 | $467,096 | $705,358 | $882,138 |
| Boulder Creek | $117,170 | $240,534 | $409,384 | $602,705 | $784,522 |
| Brookdale | $105,173 | $233,147 | $429,693 | $652,860 | $842,899 |
| Capitola | $87,188 | $218,181 | $458,675 | $779,732 | $1,149,083 |
| Felton | $99,473 | $232,807 | $413,100 | $623,005 | $804,971 |
| Freedom | $75,795 | $183,986 | $322,625 | $474,095 | $604,611 |
| Los Gatos | $178,686 | $403,520 | $768,792 | $1,178,084 | $1,558,446 |
| Mount Hermon | $47,818 | $142,588 | $316,968 | $568,436 | $782,664 |
| Paradise Park | $25,077 | $34,885 | $64,992 | $169,543 | $224,947 |
| Santa Cruz | $88,710 | $244,638 | $509,203 | $851,522 | $1,208,855 |
| Scotts Valley | $102,340 | $321,068 | $605,100 | $919,464 | $1,208,351 |
| Soquel | $66,361 | $177,520 | $468,105 | $828,756 | $1,132,638 |
| Watsonville | $82,407 | $204,031 | $366,612 | $579,578 | $827,999 |
| Davenport | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| La Selva Bch | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mt Madonna | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pescadero | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Cruz County, California
Median Santa Cruz County Tax Bill
$6,319
Median California Tax Bill
$4,683
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Cruz County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptos | $2,938 | $5,126 | $8,255 | $11,911 | $16,687 |
| Ben Lomond | $1,842 | $3,395 | $6,087 | $8,952 | $11,060 |
| Boulder Creek | $1,876 | $3,468 | $5,684 | $8,095 | $10,296 |
| Brookdale | $1,982 | $3,304 | $5,748 | $8,299 | $10,411 |
| Capitola | $2,029 | $3,586 | $6,338 | $10,155 | $14,510 |
| Felton | $2,010 | $3,526 | $5,819 | $8,321 | $10,619 |
| Freedom | $1,567 | $2,677 | $4,305 | $6,130 | $7,697 |
| Los Gatos | $3,090 | $5,717 | $9,772 | $14,605 | $18,643 |
| Mount Hermon | $684 | $1,803 | $4,049 | $7,194 | $9,710 |
| Paradise Park | $879 | $951 | $1,275 | $2,459 | $3,091 |
| Santa Cruz | $1,557 | $3,508 | $6,610 | $10,515 | $14,798 |
| Scotts Valley | $1,584 | $4,368 | $7,694 | $11,280 | $15,036 |
| Soquel | $893 | $3,204 | $6,391 | $10,515 | $14,062 |
| Watsonville | $1,359 | $2,812 | $4,788 | $7,355 | $10,354 |
| Davenport | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| La Selva Bch | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mt Madonna | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pescadero | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Property Valuation Date | January 1 |
| Appeal Deadline | November 30 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | October 1 |
| Due Date #1 | December 10 |
| Due Date #2 | April 10 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Tax Assessor | |
| Website | sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us |