Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Santa Cruz, California
Median Santa Cruz, California effective property tax rate: 1.19%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and slightly lower than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Santa Cruz, California home value: $535,616
Median annual Santa Cruz, California tax bill: $6,654, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Cruz calculated?
Property taxes in Santa Cruz, 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 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 April 13, 2026
Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.19%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$6,374
$5,915
How Does the Santa Cruz Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Santa Cruz property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Santa Cruz's median effective tax rate of 1.19% — 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 Santa Cruz'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 Santa Cruz: rates range from $4,443 in 95064 to $7,603 in 95065, 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 Santa Cruz.
About Santa Cruz Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz's median effective property tax rate of 1.19% is lower 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 Santa Cruz. Homeowners in the 95062 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.26%, while those in 95060 pay 1.16%. This spread — 0.10 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 Santa Cruz you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz'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 Santa Cruz Tax Rate
1.19%
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 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95060 | 1.12% | 1.14% | 1.16% | 1.24% | 1.43% |
| 95062 | 1.11% | 1.15% | 1.26% | 1.44% | 1.80% |
| 95064 | 1.14% | 1.15% | 1.19% | 1.22% | 1.24% |
| 95065 | 1.12% | 1.15% | 1.23% | 1.37% | 1.62% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California
When examining property taxes in Santa Cruz, 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 May.
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 $535,616, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 95065 has the highest median home price at $615,498.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
$76,183
$445,766
$815,349
Median Santa Cruz Market Value
$535,616
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 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95060 | $107,497 | $265,902 | $554,481 | $920,838 | $1,325,232 |
| 95062 | $76,707 | $232,683 | $500,172 | $863,187 | $1,261,414 |
| 95064 | $231,656 | $289,375 | $373,536 | $639,154 | $789,050 |
| 95065 | $128,665 | $327,768 | $615,498 | $899,604 | $1,179,028 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California
Property tax bills in Santa Cruz are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the market value of the property. That means the tax bill depends on both the value of the home and the tax rate set for the area. For many homeowners, a higher home value can lead to a larger bill, even if the tax rate stays the same.
In Santa Cruz County, tax bills vary widely across neighborhoods and zip codes. The lowest median tax bill is $4,443 in zip code 95064, while the highest median tax bill is $7,603 in zip code 95065. Across the county, the 25th percentile tax bill is $3,549, the 75th percentile is $10,544, and the 90th percentile reaches $14,838. With a median home price of $535,616, property taxes can represent a significant cost for homeowners, making it important to understand how assessments affect the final bill.
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
$1,420
$5,722
$10,024
Median Santa Cruz Tax Bill
$6,654
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 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95060 | $1,564 | $3,302 | $6,505 | $10,561 | $14,944 |
| 95062 | $1,332 | $3,633 | $6,665 | $10,541 | $15,054 |
| 95064 | $2,852 | $3,535 | $4,443 | $7,401 | $9,015 |
| 95065 | $2,306 | $4,386 | $7,603 | $10,715 | $13,783 |
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 |