In Santa Cruz County, California the effective property tax rate is 0.62%. The median homeowner pays $6,305 a year in real estate taxes on a home with a median value of $1,015,200. That rate is the 55th highest of the 58 California counties with published data, and the 2242nd highest of 3,132 counties in the United States.
Property tax in Santa Cruz County
The effective rate is the median real estate tax paid divided by the median home value. The California statewide average is 0.71%, so Santa Cruz County is below it. Applying this county's rate to other home prices gives a rough idea of the yearly bill; actual bills depend on the school district, exemptions and the assessed value.
| Home value | Estimated tax per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $1,240 | $103 |
| $300,000 | $1,860 | $155 |
| $400,000 | $2,480 | $207 |
| $500,000 | $3,100 | $258 |
| $1,015,200 (county median) | $6,310 | $525 |
Home values and incomes
The median home value is $1,015,200 (6th highest in California, 11th highest nationally) and the median household income is $109,266. Homes cost about 9.3 times a typical household's yearly income. Median gross rent is $2,172 a month. 60% of occupied homes are owner-occupied. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $1,578 a year for insurance. For comparison, the California statewide median home value is $761,538.
Counties near Santa Cruz County in the California property tax ranking
| County | Effective rate | Median home value |
|---|---|---|
| Glenn County | 0.65% | $338,400 |
| Humboldt County | 0.65% | $418,800 |
| Tehama County | 0.63% | $315,600 |
| Santa Cruz County | 0.62% | $1,015,200 |
| San Mateo County | 0.61% | $1,494,500 |
| Del Norte County | 0.59% | $319,600 |
| Trinity County | 0.54% | $329,000 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the property tax rate in Santa Cruz County, California?
The effective property tax rate is 0.62% of home value per year, the 55th highest of 58 counties in California (Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates).
How much is property tax on a $300,000 home in Santa Cruz County?
At the county's effective rate of 0.62%, about $1,860 a year (roughly $155 a month). Your actual bill depends on the assessed value, your school district and exemptions.
What is the median home value in Santa Cruz County?
The median home value is $1,015,200 (Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates, owner-occupied homes).
What is the median household income in Santa Cruz County?
The median household income is $109,266 (Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates).