Santa Cruz County, California Property Taxes
Census Bureau ACS property tax data for California. Population: 58,102.
The median annual property tax in Santa Cruz County is $6,305, which is 56% higher than the California state average and 228% above the national average. The effective tax rate is 0.62% on a median home value of $1,015,200. Property taxes represent 5.8% of the median household income in this county.
Median Annual Tax
$6,305
+56% vs State
+228% vs US
Median Home Value
$1,015,200
+78% vs State
+380% vs US
Effective Tax Rate
0.62%
-13% vs State
-35% vs US
With vs Without Mortgage
With Mortgage
$7,178
$598/mo
Without Mortgage
$4,345
$362/mo
Homeowners with a mortgage typically own higher-valued properties, which can result in higher tax bills.
Property Tax History
| Year | Median Tax | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $6,305 +4.9% | 0.62% |
| 2022 | $6,011 +6.1% | 0.63% |
| 2021 | $5,665 +8.2% | 0.69% |
| 2020 | $5,234 +5.9% | 0.67% |
| 2019 | $4,944 | 0.65% |
Tax Burden
Tax-to-Income Ratio
5.8%
of median household income
Median Income
$109,266
per year
Monthly Tax
$525
per month
Other Counties in California
El Dorado County
Tax: $4,510/yr Rate: 0.70%
Lassen County
Tax: $1,868/yr Rate: 0.72%
Alpine County
Tax: $3,190/yr Rate: 0.68%
Lake County
Tax: $2,295/yr Rate: 0.72%
Mariposa County
Tax: $2,437/yr Rate: 0.68%
Del Norte County
Tax: $1,872/yr Rate: 0.59%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average property tax in Santa Cruz County, California? ▼
The median annual property tax in Santa Cruz County is $6,305 based on the most recent Census Bureau American Community Survey data. The effective tax rate is 0.62% on a median home value of $1,015,200.
How does Santa Cruz County property tax compare to the national average? ▼
Property taxes in Santa Cruz County are 228% above the national average of $1,923. The effective rate of 0.62% compares to 0.95% nationally.
Does having a mortgage affect property taxes in Santa Cruz County? ▼
In Santa Cruz County, homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $7,178 in annual property taxes, while homeowners without a mortgage pay $4,345. This difference often reflects the value of homes rather than different tax rates.
What percentage of income goes to property taxes in Santa Cruz County? ▼
Property taxes in Santa Cruz County represent approximately 5.8% of the median household income of $109,266. The national benchmark is generally 2-4% of household income.
Explore More Data
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Property tax data reflects median amounts paid by homeowners. Effective rates are calculated as median tax divided by median home value.