The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 95062 sells for about $1,570,000, or $950 per square foot.
Prices are up +5.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 57 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $3,400 a month.
ZIP 95062 — Santa Cruz
The 95062 housing market remains highly competitive with a median listing price of $1.57M, driven by limited inventory and strong demand for coastal property. While days on market have declined, the market is stabilizing as buyers adjust to current interest rate environments. Figures for specific tax rates and detailed permit counts are not published at the ZIP level and are omitted.
This ZIP is ideal for affluent families, university-affiliated professionals, and lifestyle-oriented buyers who prioritize coastal access and proximity to Santa Cruz amenities over a short commute to major tech hubs.
Median prices moved up 5.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 57 days on market with 1.5 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
25% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 100% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.8% · poverty 9.2% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 95062, Santa Cruz County CA
The area is served by the Santa Cruz City Schools district, generally regarded as providing stable educational outcomes consistent with the broader coastal California region.
The ZIP code faces moderate to high wildfire risk typical of the Santa Cruz Mountains interface and coastal flood exposure in low-lying areas near the Monterey Bay.
Economic momentum is driven by the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a robust tourism and tech-adjacent service sector, though physical build-out is constrained by geography and environmental protections.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (California) — Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act Special Parcel Tax Assessment: Levies an annual direct, non-ad valorem special tax directly on the parcel's secured property tax bill to fund designated community infrastructure (e.g., roads, sewer facilities, school facilities, emergency services) and repay municipal debt bonds. State (California) — California Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption: Reduces the taxable assessed value of the qualifying owner-occupied principal residence by $7,000 against the county assessment roll, generating a direct tax savings of approximately $70 annually (computed as $7,000 × 1% base rate). State (California) — California Proposition 13 Ad Valorem Real Property Tax: Establishes a base ad valorem tax rate capped at 1.0% of assessed value plus voter-approved local indebtedness and direct assessments (typically resulting in an effective tax rate of 1.1% to 1.25%).
Commuting to Silicon Valley employment hubs typically involves heavy traffic on Highway 17, with many residents opting for hybrid work arrangements to avoid the mountain pass.
The area features extensive access to the Pacific coastline, Seabright State Beach, and the Santa Cruz Harbor, alongside numerous neighborhood parks and proximity to the Santa Cruz Wharf.
The rental market is characterized by high demand and low vacancy rates, heavily influenced by the student population and limited housing supply, with a notable presence of short-term vacation rentals.
The economy is anchored by the University of California, Santa Cruz, tourism, and a growing cluster of small-scale tech and professional services.
Public transit is provided by Santa Cruz Metro, with primary regional access via Highway 1 and Highway 17.
Development is largely focused on infill and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) construction due to limited land availability.
Parcels are subject to Santa Cruz City Schools district taxes and various local utility and flood control assessments.
Property insurance premiums are rising due to increased wildfire risk and coastal hazard exposure, with some carriers limiting new policies.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 95062 profile.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
A popular coastal destination known for its lighthouse and proximity to the harbor.
A major hub for recreational boating, dining, and marine activities.
A protected greenbelt offering trails and scenic views of the harbor.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.