Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California Property Taxes
Median Los Gatos, CA effective property tax rate: 1.25%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the CA state median of 1.21%.
Median Los Gatos, CA home value: $768,792
Median annual Los Gatos, CA tax bill: $9,772, $7,372 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Cruz calculated?
Property taxes in Los Gatos, CA 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 Los Gatos’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Los Gatos, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.25%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$9,610
$8,918
Ownwell’s Los Gatos Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Los Gatos with just two data points.
By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Los Gatos’ median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a precise calculation for your property tax obligations.
This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Santa Cruz County.
For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!
Property Tax Rates Across Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California
Local government entities set tax rates, and these can vary significantly within a state. This variation occurs because each county annually estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. While votes and laws play a role in setting tax rates and budgets, this is essentially the annual process.
In Los Gatos, located in Santa Cruz County, CA, the effective property tax rate stands at 1.25%. This rate is notably higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Compared to other cities in California, Los Gatos' rate aligns with the state's median, reflecting the diverse property tax landscape across the nation. The median property tax bill in Los Gatos is also above the national median of $2,400, indicating a substantial investment in local services and infrastructure. Understanding these differences can help property owners make informed decisions about their investments and potential savings through tax appeals.
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 Los Gatos Tax Rate
1.25%
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%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95033 | 1.17% | 1.20% | 1.25% | 1.40% | 1.78% |
| 95031 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California
When examining property taxes in Los Gatos, CA, 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 appraisal district 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 Los Gatos.
For example, the median home price in Los Gatos is $768,792, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 95033 has the highest median home price at $770,201.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
$64,992
$417,597
$770,201
Median Los Gatos Market Value
$768,792
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 Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95033 | $178,624 | $403,766 | $770,201 | $1,178,210 | $1,558,548 |
| 95031 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California
Median Los Gatos Tax Bill
$9,772
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 Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95033 | $3,090 | $5,723 | $9,802 | $14,609 | $18,656 |
| 95031 | 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 |