Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Los Gatos, California
Median Los Gatos, California effective property tax rate: 1.22%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Los Gatos, California home value: $814,873
Median annual Los Gatos, California tax bill: $10,020, $7,620 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Cruz calculated?
Property taxes in Los Gatos, 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 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 April 13, 2026
Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.22%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$9,941
$9,225
How Does the Los Gatos Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Los Gatos property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Los Gatos' median effective tax rate of 1.22% — based on actual property records in Santa Cruz County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal 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 Los Gatos' 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 Los Gatos: rates range from 1.22% in 95033 to 1.22% in 95033, 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 Los Gatos.
About Los Gatos Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, California
Los Gatos’s median effective property tax rate of 1.22% 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 Los Gatos. Homeowners in ZIP code 95033 carry a median effective rate of 1.22%, and the same ZIP code also has the city’s median tax bill of $10,024. Understanding where you live in Los Gatos can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Los Gatos homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the 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 Los Gatos, 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 Los Gatos'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 Los Gatos Tax Rate
1.22%
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 Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95033 | 1.14% | 1.17% | 1.22% | 1.34% | 1.65% |
| 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, 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 season.
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 $814,873, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. The median tax bill is $10,020, compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and national median property tax bill of $2,400. Zip code 95033 has the highest median home price at $815,349.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
$76,183
$445,766
$815,349
Median Los Gatos Market Value
$814,873
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 Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95033 | $190,803 | $440,311 | $815,349 | $1,251,613 | $1,635,734 |
| 95031 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California
Property tax bills in Los Gatos are based on the assessed value of a home, which is tied to its market value and local tax rates. For many homeowners, the bill is shaped by the county’s assessment process and any changes in the home’s value over time. With a median home price of $814,873, property taxes can be a significant annual expense.
The property tax bill is determined by multiplying the assessed value by the applicable tax rate, then adjusting for local charges and assessments. In Santa Cruz County, the median property tax bill is $10,024 in ZIP code 95033, and bills can vary widely depending on the home and neighborhood. The 25th percentile tax bill is $5,915, while the 75th percentile reaches $14,942 and the 90th percentile climbs to $18,925.
Compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and the national median property tax bill of $2,400, homeowners in Los Gatos often face much higher costs.
Property Tax Bills Across Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
$1,420
$5,722
$10,024
Median Los Gatos Tax Bill
$10,020
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 Los Gatos, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95033 | $3,148 | $5,983 | $10,024 | $14,949 | $18,927 |
| 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 |