Santa Cruz County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Santa Cruz County, California
Median Santa Cruz County effective property tax rate: 1.23%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Santa Cruz County home value: $500,310
Median annual Santa Cruz County tax bill: $6,340, $3,940 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Cruz County calculated?
Property taxes in Santa Cruz County 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 your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Santa Cruz County or another part of Santa Cruz County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Santa Cruz County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.23%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$6,154
$5,711
How Does the Santa Cruz County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Santa Cruz County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property’s assessed value and our calculator applies Santa Cruz County’s median effective tax rate of 1.23% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property’s estimated assessed value — the figure used for tax purposes, which is typically lower than market value after applicable exemptions. Our calculator uses the median effective rate for a more accurate estimate than the statutory millage rate alone.
Your actual bill may vary based on your specific exemptions, local school district levies, and any special assessment districts that apply to your property. Santa Cruz County’s median tax rate is higher than the California median of 1.21%, and the median tax bill is $6,340, which is $3,940 higher than the state median and well above the $2,400 national median property tax bill.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Santa Cruz County.
Property Tax Rates Across Santa Cruz County, California
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Santa Cruz County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Santa Cruz County. Each year, the county estimates its budget for public services and divides that total by the assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction.
Below, compare Santa Cruz County's effective property tax rate to other counties in California or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Santa Cruz County's median effective rate stands at 1.23%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Santa Cruz County, the highest rate is found in Paradise Park at 1.86%, while Santa Cruz has the lowest at 1.19%.
These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, Mello-Roos Community Facility Districts assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Santa Cruz County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptos | 1.13% | 1.18% | 1.24% | 1.37% | 1.63% |
| Ben Lomond | 1.20% | 1.21% | 1.25% | 1.33% | 1.50% |
| Boulder Creek | 1.21% | 1.23% | 1.27% | 1.41% | 1.79% |
| Brookdale | 1.21% | 1.23% | 1.26% | 1.35% | 1.60% |
| Capitola | 1.17% | 1.22% | 1.30% | 1.50% | 2.04% |
| Davenport | 1.19% | 1.44% | 1.81% | 3.38% | 14.69% |
| Felton | 1.22% | 1.26% | 1.33% | 1.47% | 1.86% |
| Freedom | 1.17% | 1.18% | 1.21% | 1.34% | 1.71% |
| Los Gatos | 1.14% | 1.17% | 1.22% | 1.34% | 1.66% |
| Mount Hermon | 1.19% | 1.22% | 1.27% | 1.41% | 1.83% |
| Paradise Park | 1.37% | 1.49% | 1.86% | 2.66% | 5.87% |
| Santa Cruz | 1.12% | 1.14% | 1.19% | 1.33% | 1.62% |
| Scotts Valley | 1.11% | 1.16% | 1.20% | 1.26% | 1.41% |
| Soquel | 1.09% | 1.14% | 1.25% | 1.41% | 1.76% |
| Watsonville | 1.15% | 1.17% | 1.20% | 1.29% | 1.51% |
| La Selva Bch | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mt Madonna | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Cruz County, California
When examining property taxes in Santa Cruz County, 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 County.
For example, the median tax bill in Santa Cruz County is $6,340, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Los Gatos has the highest median home price at $814,873.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
$76,183
$445,766
$815,349
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 County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptos | $166,737 | $367,886 | $659,239 | $990,208 | $1,428,510 |
| Ben Lomond | $124,438 | $259,603 | $489,730 | $736,887 | $920,996 |
| Boulder Creek | $123,243 | $252,708 | $431,657 | $636,288 | $828,477 |
| Brookdale | $117,355 | $249,541 | $450,307 | $675,318 | $859,757 |
| Capitola | $91,112 | $234,502 | $484,850 | $822,330 | $1,200,843 |
| Davenport | $31,539 | $117,659 | $375,271 | $792,707 | $972,560 |
| Felton | $104,463 | $243,783 | $441,680 | $654,546 | $866,121 |
| Freedom | $78,429 | $193,291 | $335,992 | $495,572 | $634,644 |
| Los Gatos | $190,930 | $438,448 | $814,873 | $1,251,612 | $1,635,645 |
| Mount Hermon | $56,462 | $153,901 | $346,243 | $602,972 | $815,306 |
| Paradise Park | $12,188 | $35,232 | $76,183 | $137,508 | $215,483 |
| Santa Cruz | $93,361 | $256,654 | $535,616 | $892,362 | $1,282,492 |
| Scotts Valley | $108,491 | $340,825 | $643,272 | $964,982 | $1,313,485 |
| Soquel | $68,940 | $186,412 | $487,020 | $861,270 | $1,184,518 |
| Watsonville | $88,833 | $213,936 | $381,449 | $604,612 | $866,432 |
| La Selva Bch | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mt Madonna | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Cruz County, California
Santa Cruz County property tax bills are based on the assessed value of a home, which is tied to the market value of the property and the local tax rate. When a home’s assessed value rises, the tax bill usually rises too, making the bill a direct reflection of changing home values and local levies.
With a median home price of $500,310, many homeowners face substantial annual tax obligations. The county’s tax burden varies widely: the 25th percentile tax bill is $3,536, while the 75th percentile is $9,981 and the 90th percentile reaches $14,077. That range shows how location, property value, and assessment differences can significantly affect what homeowners owe.
Some areas carry especially high bills, with Los Gatos posting the highest median tax bill at $10,020, while Paradise Park has the lowest median tax bill at $1,420. For homeowners, understanding how the assessed value and local tax rate work together is key to anticipating annual property tax costs.
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 County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptos | $2,943 | $5,129 | $8,268 | $11,927 | $16,707 |
| Ben Lomond | $1,859 | $3,416 | $6,111 | $9,024 | $11,139 |
| Boulder Creek | $1,878 | $3,489 | $5,725 | $8,136 | $10,382 |
| Brookdale | $1,982 | $3,304 | $5,748 | $8,299 | $10,411 |
| Capitola | $2,036 | $3,610 | $6,340 | $10,143 | $14,500 |
| Davenport | $1,611 | $4,426 | $8,873 | $13,916 | $16,256 |
| Felton | $2,020 | $3,544 | $5,882 | $8,394 | $10,754 |
| Freedom | $1,567 | $2,677 | $4,298 | $6,130 | $7,697 |
| Los Gatos | $3,148 | $5,915 | $10,020 | $14,942 | $18,925 |
| Mount Hermon | $710 | $1,854 | $4,181 | $7,298 | $9,759 |
| Paradise Park | $756 | $967 | $1,420 | $2,126 | $2,877 |
| Santa Cruz | $1,583 | $3,549 | $6,654 | $10,544 | $14,838 |
| Scotts Valley | $1,600 | $4,403 | $7,770 | $11,335 | $15,112 |
| Soquel | $905 | $3,199 | $6,408 | $10,490 | $14,031 |
| Watsonville | $1,360 | $2,813 | $4,792 | $7,367 | $10,378 |
| La Selva Bch | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mt Madonna | 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 |