95076 Property Tax Rate

Property owners in ZIP code 95076 (Watsonville, California) pay a median of $5,039/year in property taxes on homes valued at $767,200. This translates to an effective tax rate of 0.66%, which is 5% below the California state average of 0.69%.

The monthly property tax burden for a median-valued home in 95076 is approximately $420, which factors into escrow payments on mortgages. This ZIP code is located within Santa Cruz County.

Compared to similar ZIP codes in California, 95076 has lower property taxes. ZIP codes with similar effective rates include 90302 (0.66%) and 94110 (0.66%).

In Watsonville, property taxes represent approximately 5.8% of the median household income of $86,685, providing context for the relative tax burden on homeowners in this area.

Under California's Proposition 13, your property reassesses to the purchase price at sale, with taxes capped at 1% of that amount and increases limited to 2% annually until the next ownership change. Santa Cruz County provides a Homeowners' Exemption reducing assessed value by $7,000—file your claim with the Santa Cruz County Assessor within 30 days of closing to apply this benefit. After closing, obtain your Preliminary Assessment Notice from the Santa Cruz County Assessor, verify your base year value and exemption, and file a protest within 60 days if needed.