Rio Rico, Santa Cruz County, Arizona Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Rio Rico, Arizona
Median Rio Rico, Arizona effective property tax rate: 0.79%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Arizona state median of 0.51%.
Median Rio Rico, Arizona home value: $176,400
Median annual Rio Rico, Arizona tax bill: $1,370, $1,030 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Cruz calculated?
Property taxes in Rio Rico, Arizona 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 Rio Rico's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Rio Rico, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Rio Rico, Santa Cruz County, Arizona Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.79%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,394
$1,293
How Does the Rio Rico Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Rio Rico property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Rio Rico's median effective tax rate of 0.79% — 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 Rio Rico'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 Rio Rico: rates range from 0.79% in 85648 to 0.79% in 85648, 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 Rio Rico.
About Rio Rico Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Rio Rico, Santa Cruz, Arizona
Rio Rico’s median effective property tax rate of 0.79% is lower than the Arizona state median of 0.51% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Santa Cruz County base levy combined with local school district levies and Community facilities districts (CFDs) that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Rio Rico. Homeowners in the 85648 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.79%, while those in the lowest ZIP also pay 0.79%. This spread — 0.00 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 Rio Rico you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Rio Rico homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the April 28, 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 Rio Rico, Santa Cruz County, Arizona
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 Rio Rico's effective property tax rate to other cities in Arizona and the median property tax rates in Arizona 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 Rio Rico Tax Rate
0.79%
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
0.81%
Median Effective Arizona Tax Rate
0.51%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Rio Rico, Santa Cruz County, Arizona
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85648 | 0.63% | 0.72% | 0.79% | 0.91% | 1.01% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Rio Rico, Santa Cruz County, Arizona
When examining property taxes in Rio Rico, Arizona, 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 March.
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 Rio Rico.
For example, the median home price in Rio Rico is $176,400, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 85648 has the highest median home price at $176,400.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Rio Rico, Santa Cruz County, Arizona
Source: Ownwell
$110,030
$245,024
$380,017
Median Rio Rico Market Value
$176,400
Median Santa Cruz County Market Value
$175,032
Median Arizona Market Value
$327,500
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Rio Rico, Santa Cruz County, Arizona
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85648 | $122,164 | $142,566 | $176,400 | $242,494 | $314,219 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Rio Rico, Santa Cruz County, Arizona
Property tax bills in Rio Rico are based on the assessed value of a home and the tax rate set by local taxing authorities. The assessed value is used to calculate the bill, so changes in market value can affect what homeowners owe. For a home with a median market value of $176,400, the typical tax bill in the area is $1,370, which is below the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and the national median property tax rate of 1.02%.
Several factors can influence the final amount, including the home’s assessed value, local tax rates, and any applicable exemptions. Homes with higher assessed values generally face larger tax bills, while lower assessed values may result in smaller ones. In Rio Rico, tax bills range from $1,063 at the 25th percentile to $2,054 at the 75th percentile, with the 90th percentile reaching $2,720. For homeowners, this means property taxes can vary significantly even within the same area, affecting monthly housing costs and long-term affordability.
Median Rio Rico Tax Bill
$1,370
Median Santa Cruz County Tax Bill
$1,364
Median Arizona Tax Bill
$1,695
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Rio Rico, Santa Cruz County, Arizona
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85648 | $860 | $1,063 | $1,370 | $2,054 | $2,720 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | April 28 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Tax Assessor | |
| Website | parcelsearch.santacruzcountyaz.gov |