Santa Cruz County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Santa Cruz is 1.26%, which is significantly higher than both the national median of 0.99% and the California state median of 1.21%. With the median home value in Santa Cruz, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $6,319, which exceeds the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Santa Cruz are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which generally falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions like the primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Santa Cruz's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can provide significant annual savings. Whether you live in Santa Cruz or another part of the county, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Santa Cruz County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$2,500,000
$5,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1.21%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,420
Ownwell’s Santa Cruz Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Santa Cruz with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Santa Cruz to estimate your property tax bill. This insight helps you understand potential tax liabilities. If you’d like to see trends on a city level, scroll down to navigate to a more local informational page. Your property assessed value is the value assigned to your property by your county for property tax calculations. Assessed value takes into account any exemptions you may have on your property.
Property Tax Rates Across Santa Cruz County, California
Property taxes in Santa Cruz County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Santa Cruz County is 1.26%, which is higher than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Santa Cruz County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Santa Cruz County estimates its required budget to maintain services for the upcoming fiscal year, and divides this budget by the total value of all taxable property in the jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. Although tax rates and budgets are influenced by laws and voter input, this calculation forms the basic process for setting property tax rates. The following data compares Santa Cruz County's effective property tax rate with other areas and the national median. For comparison, the city of Paradise Park has one of the higher property tax rates in California at 2.01%, while the city of Santa Cruz boasts one of the lowest at 1.23%. Analyzing how Santa Cruz County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Santa Cruz County Tax Rate
1.26%
Average California Tax Rate
1.21%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
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% |
| Davenport | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Felton | 1.25% | 1.29% | 1.37% | 1.54% | 2.04% |
| Freedom | 1.19% | 1.21% | 1.23% | 1.41% | 1.82% |
| La Selva Bch | 1.27% | 1.30% | 1.35% | 1.41% | 1.44% |
| Los Gatos | 1.17% | 1.20% | 1.25% | 1.40% | 1.78% |
| Mount Hermon | 1.21% | 1.25% | 1.31% | 1.48% | 2.10% |
| Mt Madonna | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% |
| Paradise Park | 1.37% | 1.46% | 2.01% | 2.79% | 3.77% |
| Pescadero | 1.30% | 1.30% | 1.30% | 1.30% | 1.30% |
| 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% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Cruz County, California
In Santa Cruz County, understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes. The market value represents the price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open, competitive market, considering location, property condition, and current economic trends. For tax purposes, this value is estimated by the Santa Cruz County Appraisal District. The assessed value, however, is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits based on local laws and available programs. The assessed value is then used to calculate your property taxes by multiplying it by the combined tax rates of all relevant taxing entities. Assessment notices in Santa Cruz County are typically mailed in the spring, usually by the middle of April. These notices provide homeowners with both the market and assessed values, along with an estimate of the annual property tax bill. By distinguishing between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and understand how their property taxes are affected. Santa Cruz County's median home price is $477,836, with Pescadero having the highest median tax bill at $10,074 and Paradise Park the lowest at $1,275. Being aware of these valuation processes will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
$64,992
$419,921
$774,850
Average Santa Cruz County Assessed Value
$477,836
Average California Assessed Value
$378,421
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
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 |
| Davenport | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Felton | $99,473 | $232,807 | $413,100 | $623,005 | $804,971 |
| Freedom | $75,795 | $183,986 | $322,625 | $474,095 | $604,611 |
| La Selva Bch | $633,828 | $677,852 | $751,224 | $824,596 | $868,620 |
| 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 |
| Mt Madonna | $290,753 | $290,753 | $290,753 | $290,753 | $290,753 |
| Paradise Park | $25,077 | $34,885 | $64,992 | $169,543 | $224,947 |
| Pescadero | $774,850 | $774,850 | $774,850 | $774,850 | $774,850 |
| 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 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Cruz County, California
In Santa Cruz County, CA, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a property, which is determined by the county assessor. This assessed value is typically a percentage of the property's market value. The local tax rate is then applied to this assessed value to determine the annual tax bill. Various factors influence the tax bill, including the property's location, size, and any applicable exemptions or assessments. Homeowners in Santa Cruz County experience a wide range of property tax bills. For example, the 25th percentile tax bill is around $3,524, while the 75th percentile reaches up to $9,948, and the 90th percentile can be as high as $14,040. Notably, Pescadero has the highest median tax bill at $10,074, contrasting sharply with Paradise Park, where the lowest median tax bill is $1,275. With the national median property tax rate at 0.99%, these figures highlight the significant variability within the county, impacting homeowners differently based on their property's assessed value and location.
Average Santa Cruz County Tax Bill
$6,319
Average California Tax Bill
$4,683
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
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 |
| Davenport | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Felton | $2,010 | $3,526 | $5,819 | $8,321 | $10,619 |
| Freedom | $1,567 | $2,677 | $4,305 | $6,130 | $7,697 |
| La Selva Bch | $9,099 | $9,442 | $10,014 | $10,586 | $10,929 |
| Los Gatos | $3,090 | $5,717 | $9,772 | $14,605 | $18,643 |
| Mount Hermon | $684 | $1,803 | $4,049 | $7,194 | $9,710 |
| Mt Madonna | $3,638 | $3,638 | $3,638 | $3,638 | $3,638 |
| Paradise Park | $879 | $951 | $1,275 | $2,459 | $3,091 |
| Pescadero | $10,074 | $10,074 | $10,074 | $10,074 | $10,074 |
| 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 |
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 |