Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Ben Lomond, California
Median Ben Lomond, California effective property tax rate: 1.25%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Ben Lomond, California home value: $489,730
Median annual Ben Lomond, California tax bill: $6,111, $3,711 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Cruz calculated?
Property taxes in Ben Lomond, 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 Ben Lomond's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Ben Lomond, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Ben Lomond, 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
$6,122
$5,681
How Does the Ben Lomond Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Ben Lomond property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Ben Lomond's median effective tax rate of 1.25% — 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 district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Ben Lomond'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 Ben Lomond: rates range from 1.25% in 95005 to 1.25% in 95005, 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 Ben Lomond.
About Ben Lomond Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz, California
Ben Lomond’s median effective property tax rate of 1.25% 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 Mello-Roos Community Facility Districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Ben Lomond. Homeowners in the 95005 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.25%, while those in the 95005 pay 1.25%. This spread — 0 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Santa Cruz County. Understanding which part of Ben Lomond you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Ben Lomond homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the November 30, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above 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 Ben Lomond, 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 Ben Lomond'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 Ben Lomond 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
1.23%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95005 | 1.20% | 1.21% | 1.25% | 1.33% | 1.50% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz County, California
When examining property taxes in Ben Lomond, 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.
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. For example, the median home price in Ben Lomond is $489,730, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. ZIP code 95005 has the highest median home price at $489,730.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
$76,183
$445,766
$815,349
Median Ben Lomond Market Value
$489,730
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 Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95005 | $124,438 | $259,603 | $489,730 | $736,887 | $920,996 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz County, California
Property tax bills in Ben Lomond are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the market value of the property. The assessed value is influenced by the home’s location, size, condition, and any improvements that may increase its worth. Because property taxes are tied to value, homeowners with higher-valued homes generally pay more.
The median home price in Ben Lomond is $489,730, and the median property tax bill is $6,111 in ZIP code 95005. That is well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. For many homeowners, this means property taxes can be a major part of annual housing costs, especially when home values rise. Bills can vary widely, with the 25th percentile at $3,416, the 75th percentile at $9,024, and the 90th percentile at $11,139.
Property Tax Bills Across Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
$1,420
$5,722
$10,024
Median Ben Lomond Tax Bill
$6,111
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 Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95005 | $1,859 | $3,416 | $6,111 | $9,024 | $11,139 |
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 |