Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California Property Taxes
Median Santa Cruz, CA effective property tax rate: 1.23%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Santa Cruz, CA home value: $509,203
Median annual Santa Cruz, CA tax bill: $6,610, $4,210 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Cruz calculated?
Property taxes in Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Santa Cruz, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.23%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$6,263
$5,812
Property Tax Rates Across Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California
Local government entities are responsible for setting property tax rates, which can vary significantly even within a single state. This variation occurs because each county annually estimates the budget needed to provide essential services, then divides this amount by the total value of all taxable properties in the area. This process determines the property tax rate. Although setting tax rates and budgets involves votes and laws, this is essentially how the annual process works.
In Santa Cruz County, for example, Santa Cruz has an effective property tax rate that can be compared to other cities within California, as well as the median property tax rates across the state and the nation. The median property tax rate in Santa Cruz County is 1.23%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within the county, the highest median tax rate is found in the 95062 zip code at 1.29%, while the lowest is in the 95060 zip code at 1.19%. Understanding these differences can help property owners make informed decisions about their investments and potential tax liabilities.
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 Tax Rate
1.23%
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 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95060 | 1.14% | 1.16% | 1.19% | 1.28% | 1.56% |
| 95062 | 1.14% | 1.18% | 1.29% | 1.50% | 1.97% |
| 95064 | 1.17% | 1.18% | 1.22% | 1.24% | 1.27% |
| 95065 | 1.15% | 1.17% | 1.27% | 1.42% | 1.75% |
| 95018 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California
When examining property taxes in Santa Cruz, 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 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. For example, the median home price in Santa Cruz is $509,203, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 95065 has the highest median home price at $573,576.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
$64,992
$417,597
$770,201
Median Santa Cruz Market Value
$509,203
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, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95060 | $102,847 | $253,402 | $528,198 | $877,005 | $1,249,936 |
| 95062 | $71,809 | $220,452 | $475,828 | $823,930 | $1,193,764 |
| 95064 | $225,133 | $282,696 | $364,514 | $625,370 | $772,369 |
| 95065 | $118,292 | $306,323 | $573,576 | $865,253 | $1,098,097 |
| 95018 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
$1,275
$5,539
$9,802
Median Santa Cruz Tax Bill
$6,610
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, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95060 | $1,562 | $3,293 | $6,480 | $10,548 | $14,907 |
| 95062 | $1,299 | $3,610 | $6,611 | $10,518 | $14,983 |
| 95064 | $2,841 | $3,532 | $4,434 | $7,349 | $9,013 |
| 95065 | $2,292 | $4,341 | $7,554 | $10,663 | $13,681 |
| 95018 | 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 |