Santa Cruz, CA home prices
Typical home $1,136,154 · +4.8% in a year · income needed $312,200
The Santa Cruz, CA metro area ranks 6 of 894 U.S. metros for home values (U.S. typical home: $366,157). Prices changed +4.8% in a year and +11.9% over five years. With 20% down at 7.11%, the typical home costs about $7,285 a month including 0.64% property tax (Santa Cruz County rate).
Mortgage on the typical Santa Cruz home
| Down payment | Cash down | Loan | Principal + interest | PMI / MIP | Tax + insurance | Total / month | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% down | $227,231 | $908,923 | $6,114 | $0 | $1,171 | $7,285 | $312,200 |
| 10% down | $113,615 | $1,022,539 | $6,879 | $426 | $1,171 | $8,475 | $363,200 |
| 5% down | $56,808 | $1,079,346 | $7,261 | $450 | $1,171 | $8,881 | $380,600 |
| 3.5% down (FHA) | $39,765 | $1,115,575 | $7,505 | $503 | $1,171 | $9,178 | $393,300 |
Assumes a 30-year fixed loan at 7.11%, property tax of 0.64% of the home value a year, homeowners insurance of 0.6% a year, PMI of 0.5% of the loan a year when the down payment is under 20%, and FHA mortgage insurance of 0.55% a year plus a 1.75% upfront premium added to the loan. Your rate, taxes and insurance will differ.
Counties in the Santa Cruz area
| County | Typical home | 1-yr change | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz County, CA | $1,136,188 | +4.8% | 0.64% |
What can you afford in California on your salary? · California home prices · Salaries in California
Frequently asked questions
How much is a house in Santa Cruz?
The typical home in the Santa Cruz, CA metro area is worth $1,136,154 (Zillow, September 2026).
What salary do you need to buy a house in Santa Cruz?
About $312,200 a year for the typical home with 20% down at 7.11%.