CountyScore

Santa Cruz County

California · CA

#44 in California
56.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Santa Cruz County, California

Santa Cruz outpaces national benchmark

Santa Cruz's composite score of 54.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 54th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates above-average livability by U.S. standards, representing reasonable balance across multiple factors. It ranks among more livable American counties overall.

Below California average, still competitive

Santa Cruz scores 54.3 against California's 61.3 state average, placing it just below the middle tier. However, it outperforms many inland and northern counties while offering better affordability than Bay Area neighbors. The score reflects a mid-range California county with genuine appeal.

Strong tax efficiency and moderate housing

Santa Cruz's tax score of 84.8 (the lowest effective rate at 0.621%) pairs with a cost score of 31.4, offering the best tax-to-affordability combination among Bay Area counties. Median homes at $1,015,200 and rent at $2,172/month make this more accessible than San Mateo or Santa Clara. The county balances tax benefits with genuine housing moderation.

Income growth lags coastal wage trends

Santa Cruz's income score of 54.7 with median household income of $109,266 trails Silicon Valley by $50k. Residents earn solidly middle-class wages but lack access to the high-tech sector employment found nearby. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remains limited.

For creative professionals valuing community

Santa Cruz attracts artists, educators, healthcare workers, and tech workers seeking coastal living without peak Bay Area prices. The $109k median income supports comfortable middle-class living with genuine housing feasibility compared to neighbors. This county rewards those prioritizing lifestyle, access to nature, and community engagement.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax84.8Cost31.4SafetyComing SoonHealth78.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome54.7Risk2.2WaterComing Soon
🏛84.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠31.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼54.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡2.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Santa Cruz County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Middlesex County
Massachusetts
56.1
Median income: $126,779
Norfolk County
Massachusetts
56.1
Median income: $126,497
Merrimack County
New Hampshire
56.1
Median income: $93,944
Strafford County
New Hampshire
56.1
Median income: $86,564
Monroe County
Pennsylvania
56.1
Median income: $82,374

Deep Dives

Santa Cruz County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Santa Cruz County

via TaxByCounty

Santa Cruz taxes more than double U.S.

Santa Cruz County residents pay a median of $6,305 in property taxes—more than double the national median of $2,690. With an effective rate of 0.621%, the county ranks below California's state average of 0.714%, landing in roughly the top 30% nationally.

Below average rate, above average taxes

Santa Cruz County's 0.621% effective rate is notably below California's 0.714% state average, placing it in the lower half of counties. Yet residents still pay $6,305 median annually—$2,260 more than the state average of $4,045—due to higher home values.

More affordable than the Bay Area

Santa Cruz homeowners pay $6,305 annually on a median home worth $1.01 million—substantially less than San Mateo ($9,167) or Santa Clara ($9,766) counties to the north. The county's lower effective rate of 0.621% also beats both neighbors.

A $1.01M home costs $6,305 yearly

The typical Santa Cruz homeowner pays $6,305 in annual property taxes on a median home valued at $1.01 million. Adding mortgage-related assessments brings the total closer to $7,178 for most residents.

Appeals could recover hundreds annually

Many Santa Cruz County homeowners carry outdated or inflated assessed values on their property records. Filing a property tax appeal costs nothing and could reduce your annual taxes, especially if your home's market value has shifted.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Santa Cruz County

via CostByCounty

Coastal living, middling affordability

Santa Cruz renters spend 23.9% of their income on housing—1.5 points above California's average and somewhat above national norms. With median income at $109,266, residents earn 46% more than the national median, offsetting high coastal costs.

Moderate burden among California counties

Santa Cruz sits in California's middle range for housing affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio of 23.9% and median home values of $1.02 million. The county avoids the extremes of Bay Area coastal counties while remaining pricier than inland alternatives.

Gateway to the Santa Cruz mountains

Santa Cruz renters pay $2,172 monthly—significantly less than San Mateo ($2,893) or Santa Clara ($2,814)—while homes cost $360,600-$497,600 less than neighboring counties. This makes it an attractive alternative for those seeking coastal California at lower cost.

Santa Cruz household budgets

A household earning $109,266 annually dedicates $2,172 to rent or $2,413 for ownership—roughly one-quarter of gross income. This leaves moderate room for savings and other living expenses compared to higher-cost neighbors.

Santa Cruz: coastal living at discount rates

If you're priced out of San Mateo or Santa Clara but want California coast access, Santa Cruz offers 20-25% lower rents and $360K-$500K cheaper homes. The tradeoff: a 90-minute commute to major tech hubs, though remote work makes this increasingly viable.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Santa Cruz County

via IncomeByCounty

Santa Cruz exceeds U.S. norms substantially

Santa Cruz County's median household income of $109,266 outpaces the national median of $74,755 by 46%, positioning it well above most American counties. Per capita income of $55,717 nearly beats the national median household income itself. This coastal county enjoys strong income fundamentals across its workforce.

Strong upper-middle rank statewide

Santa Cruz's $109,266 income runs 26% above California's state average of $87,001, placing it solidly in the upper-middle tier of the state's 58 counties. Per capita income of $55,717 exceeds California's average of $43,669 by 28%. The county attracts educated professionals drawn to its coastal lifestyle.

Outearns inland but trails Bay titans

Santa Cruz ($109,266) significantly outearns Shasta County ($71,931) and most rural California counties, but trails Bay Area powerhouses San Mateo ($156,000) and Santa Clara ($159,674). Solano County ($99,994) edges slightly below Santa Cruz. The geographic proximity to Silicon Valley influences but doesn't match these inland communities' income levels.

Housing costs squeeze earnings gains

Santa Cruz residents allocate 23.9% of their $109,266 income to rent, with median home values of $1,015,200 consuming substantial household wealth. While the rent-to-income ratio stays below the affordability danger zone, the absolute costs remain steep. Strong income here translates into manageable housing situations but limits other wealth-building opportunities.

Build on coastal income advantage

With $109,266 household income, Santa Cruz earners can comfortably fund retirement accounts and investment portfolios after housing costs. Consider regional diversification strategies, such as investment property in more affordable neighboring counties, to amplify wealth growth. The county's income strength provides a solid foundation for accelerated financial independence.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Santa Cruz County

via HealthByCounty

Santa Cruz defies mortality trends

Santa Cruz residents live to 81.8 years, beating the U.S. average of 78.3 years by 3.5 years. Yet 16.6% report poor or fair health, slightly below the national 18% rate, indicating mixed wellness signals.

Above state average on life span

At 81.8 years, Santa Cruz's life expectancy surpasses California's 78.5 average by 3.3 years. The county's 6.5% uninsured rate falls slightly below the state average of 7.2%, suggesting reasonable coverage access.

Middle of the Bay Area pack

Santa Cruz's 81.8-year life expectancy trails San Mateo (84.1) and Santa Clara (83.8) but exceeds Santa Barbara (80.6). At 16.6% poor/fair health and 6.5% uninsured, the county ranks mid-range on regional health metrics.

Outstanding mental health access

Santa Cruz boasts 977 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—the highest concentration of any county in this analysis—reflecting strong behavioral health infrastructure. With 6.5% uninsured and 102 primary care providers per 100K, physical healthcare access remains solid.

Protect your health plan

Santa Cruz's strong provider network is most valuable when residents hold active coverage. Visit coveredca.com to verify your plan is current, update information after job or life changes, and reconnect if coverage has lapsed.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Santa Cruz County

via RiskByCounty

Santa Cruz ranks among nation's riskiest

Santa Cruz County's 97.81 composite risk score places it well above the national average with a 'Relatively High' rating. The county faces serious multi-hazard exposure driven by coastal position, seismic activity, and significant wildfire potential.

High-risk but slightly lower than neighbors

Santa Cruz's 97.81 score exceeds California's 88.72 average, though it ranks lower than neighboring San Mateo (99.24) and Santa Clara (99.75). The county still represents significant disaster vulnerability within a particularly hazard-prone region.

Slightly safer than nearby Bay Area peers

Santa Cruz (97.81) faces lower risk than Santa Clara (99.75) and San Mateo (99.24), but comparable threat levels to Monterey County. All three counties share substantial earthquake and wildfire exposure as part of the seismic California coast.

Earthquakes and wildfires threaten most

Santa Cruz's earthquake risk reaches 99.27 while wildfire risk scores 97.33, affecting both coastal and mountain communities. Flood risk (96.18) rounds out the top three hazards, particularly threatening creek-adjacent properties and low-lying neighborhoods.

Earthquake and wildfire insurance essential

Santa Cruz residents should prioritize earthquake and wildfire insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude both hazards. Flood insurance is also important, particularly for properties near the Pacific Ocean, creeks, or historically flood-prone areas.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.