Aptos, Santa Cruz County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Aptos, California
Median Aptos, California effective property tax rate: 1.24%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Aptos, California home value: $659,239
Median annual Aptos, California tax bill: $8,268, $5,868 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Cruz calculated?
Property taxes in Aptos, California 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 Aptos's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Aptos, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Aptos, Santa Cruz County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.24%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$8,175
$7,586
How Does the Aptos Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Aptos property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Aptos's median effective tax rate of 1.24% — based on actual property records in Santa Cruz County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment system uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Aptos's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Aptos: rates range from 1.24% in 95003 to 1.24% in 95003, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Aptos.
About Aptos Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Aptos, Santa Cruz, California
Aptos’s median effective property tax rate of 1.24% is higher than the California state median of 1.21% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Santa Cruz County base levy combined with local school district levies and other local assessments that can vary by neighborhood.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Aptos. Homeowners in the 95003 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.24%, while the same ZIP also reflects the city’s median tax bill of $8,268 and median home price of $659,239. That bill is well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and is $5,868 higher than the California median tax bill.
Aptos homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Santa Cruz County Tax Assessor before the November 30, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Aptos, Santa Cruz County, California
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Aptos's effective property tax rate to other cities in California and the median property tax rates in California and the U.S.
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 Aptos Tax Rate
1.24%
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
1.23%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Aptos, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95003 | 1.13% | 1.18% | 1.24% | 1.37% | 1.63% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Aptos, Santa Cruz County, California
When examining property taxes in Aptos, California, 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.
Assessment notices:
In Santa Cruz County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month when notices are sent.
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 Aptos.
For example, the median home price in Aptos is $659,239, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 95003 has the highest median home price at $659,239.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Aptos, Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
$76,183
$445,766
$815,349
Median Aptos Market Value
$659,239
Median Santa Cruz County Market Value
$500,310
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Aptos, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95003 | $166,737 | $367,886 | $659,239 | $990,208 | $1,428,510 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Aptos, Santa Cruz County, California
Property tax bills in Aptos are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the property’s market value. For many homeowners, that means the tax bill reflects both the home’s worth and the taxing jurisdictions that apply to the property. With a median home price of $659,239, bills in the area can be substantial, especially when compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
What homeowners pay can vary widely depending on the assessed value and the specific tax rates in Santa Cruz County. In Aptos, the median property tax bill is $8,268 in ZIP code 95003, and bills can range from $5,129 at the 25th percentile to $11,927 at the 75th percentile, with the 90th percentile reaching $16,707.
For homeowners, this means property taxes can have a major impact on annual housing costs, making it important to understand how the bill is determined and whether the assessed value accurately reflects the home’s market value.
Median Aptos Tax Bill
$8,268
Median Santa Cruz County Tax Bill
$6,340
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Aptos, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95003 | $2,943 | $5,129 | $8,268 | $11,927 | $16,707 |
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 |