Santa Cruz County, CA Property Taxes (2026)

Santa Cruz County owners pay a median of $6,305 a year on a median home value of $1,015,200, an effective rate of 0.62%. That's the 55th-highest rate of 58 California counties with Census data, below the California county median of 0.70%.

Updated October 2026 · Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023)

TaxDrop does not currently serve Santa Cruz County. Data below is for reference.

Effective tax rate

0.62%

55th highest of 58 in CA

Median annual bill

$6,305

~$525/month

Median home value

$1,015,200

California county median

0.70%

Effective rate

Santa Cruz County vs. California vs. U.S. property tax rates

Santa Cruz County0.62%
California county median0.70%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: Santa Cruz County's effective property tax rate is 0.62%, vs. 0.70% for the median California county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 55th of 58 in California. Effective rate = median tax bill ÷ median home value, so it already reflects typical exemptions. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023))

How to appeal your property taxes in Santa Cruz County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

    Check the assessed value from the Santa Cruz County Assessor. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The Santa Cruz County deadline is July 2 – November 30. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment year.

  3. 3

    Gather evidence

    Recent comparable sales, photos of condition issues, repair estimates or an independent appraisal.

  4. 4

    Present your case

    Submit evidence or attend a hearing with the County Assessor.

  5. 5

    Get your decision

    If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $6,305 bill, 10–15% off is $631–$946 a year.

TaxDrop does not currently serve Santa Cruz County. Data below is for reference.

Property tax exemptions in California

California homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the Santa Cruz County Assessor for amounts.

Homestead exemption

For your primary residence. Reduces the value used to calculate your bill.

Senior / over-65

Many states add an exemption or freeze for owners 65 and older.

Disability

For homeowners with qualifying disabilities, often similar to the over-65 benefit.

Veterans

Disabled veterans may get partial or full exemptions depending on rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Santa Cruz County, California?
The median effective property tax rate in Santa Cruz County is 0.62%: a median annual bill of $6,305 on a median home value of $1,015,200. That's the 55th-highest rate of 58 California counties with Census data. Your own rate depends on which city, school district and special districts you're in. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).
How much are property taxes in Santa Cruz County?
The median Santa Cruz County property tax bill is $6,305 a year, about $525 a month, compared with a California county median of $3,172.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Santa Cruz County?
The deadline to appeal in Santa Cruz County is July 2 – November 30. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is Santa Cruz County a high property tax area?
Santa Cruz County's 0.62% effective rate is below the California county median of 0.70% and below the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 55th-highest rate of 58 California counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my Santa Cruz County property taxes?
TaxDrop does not currently serve Santa Cruz County. Data below is for reference.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Santa Clara County

Rate: 0.71%

Median bill: $9,766

San Mateo County

Rate: 0.61%

Median bill: $9,167

Alameda County

Rate: 0.76%

Median bill: $8,061

San Benito County

Rate: 0.81%

Median bill: $6,078

Contra Costa County

Rate: 0.83%

Median bill: $6,903

Monterey County

Rate: 0.66%

Median bill: $4,782

Stanislaus County

Rate: 0.71%

Median bill: $3,025

Merced County

Rate: 0.68%

Median bill: $2,487

← All 58 California counties

TaxDrop does not currently serve Santa Cruz County

TaxDrop does not currently serve Santa Cruz County. Data below is for reference.