Property tax in Santa Cruz County, Arizona
The median property tax bill in Santa Cruz County, Arizona is $1,415 a year, which is about 0.61% of the county's median home value of $233,000. That effective rate is higher than the typical Arizona county (0.51%) and lower than the national median (0.81%). These are American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2024); your own bill depends on your home's assessed value and any exemptions.
Estimate the property tax on a home in Santa Cruz County
Enter a home's market value for a ballpark at Santa Cruz County's average effective rate of 0.61% (Census). The real bill depends on the home's assessed value, the millage where it sits and any exemptions.
Estimated property tax: $1,421 / year
Property tax in Santa Cruz County at a glance
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median annual property tax | $1,415 |
| Median home value | $233,000 |
| Effective tax rate | 0.61% |
| Typical Arizona county rate | 0.51% |
| National median county rate | 0.81% |
Effective rate = median real estate taxes paid divided by median home value. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Santa Cruz County compare in Arizona?
Among Arizona's 15 counties, Santa Cruz County has the 4th highest effective property-tax rate: 3 rank higher and 11 rank lower. That is on the higher side for Arizona. Nationally, it ranks 2204th of 3135 US counties by effective rate. See every Arizona county ranked.
How much do homeowners in Santa Cruz County actually pay?
The median is only the middle bill. Across Santa Cruz County's 11,749 owner-occupied homes, 14.9% pay $3,000 or more a year in property tax, 30.5% pay at least $2,000, and 19.2% pay under $800. Another 1.6% report paying no property tax at all, which usually means an exemption covers the whole bill.
| Annual bill | Homes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Under $800 | 2,260 | 19.2% |
| $800 to $1,499 | 4,006 | 34.1% |
| $1,500 to $1,999 | 1,711 | 14.6% |
| $2,000 to $2,999 | 1,838 | 15.6% |
| $3,000 or more | 1,746 | 14.9% |
| No property tax paid | 188 | 1.6% |
Owners with a mortgage pay a median of $1,456 and owners without one pay $1,339. That is within 10% either way, so in Santa Cruz County paying off the house does not go with a noticeably different bill. Census table B25103.
How does the Santa Cruz County property tax bill compare with local incomes?
The median property tax bill of $1,415 is about 2.2% of the median income of Santa Cruz County homeowner households, $64,852 a year. That compares two middles, so a retiree in a long-held home can pay a far larger share. 69.3% of Santa Cruz County's occupied homes are lived in by their owners; renters pay property tax too, just folded into rent.
Have property taxes gone up in Santa Cruz County?
Yes. The median bill went from $1,146 in 2015-2019 to $1,415 in 2020-2024, a 23.5% rise. Over the same span the median home value moved 54.1%, from $151,200 to $233,000. Bills rose more slowly than values, which is what assessment caps and falling millage rates do: the county is taxing a smaller share of each home's worth.
Two Census ACS 5-year periods with no survey years in common, in each period's own dollars. A change counts only if it exceeds the combined 90% margin of error.
Property tax in counties next to Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County borders 2 counties.
| County | Effective rate | Median bill | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pima County, AZ | 0.71% | $2,272 | $319,700 |
| Santa Cruz County, AZ (this county) | 0.61% | $1,415 | $233,000 |
| Cochise County, AZ | 0.6% | $1,310 | $218,300 |
How is a home assessed in Santa Cruz County?
Arizona assesses homes at 10% of market value in every county, Santa Cruz County included. How Arizona assesses and reappraises homes.
Is there a homestead exemption in Santa Cruz County?
No. Arizona has no general homestead property-tax exemption; the individual exemptions are for widows and widowers, people with a total and permanent disability, and disabled veterans. That is the Arizona rule, and it applies in Santa Cruz County. Arizona's exemptions and relief programs in full.
When are property taxes due in Santa Cruz County?
Two installments: the first half is due October 1 and late after November 1, and the second half is due the following March 1 and late after May 1. The county treasurer bills and collects.
Arizona splits the bill into 2 installments. That is the Arizona rule. Santa Cruz County issues and collects the bill, so the dates printed on your statement are the ones that bind you.
How to appeal your Santa Cruz County property assessment
You contest the assessed value with the County Assessor, then the County or State Board of Equalization, then Arizona Tax Court. The filing deadline is typically 60 days after the Notice of Value. That is the Arizona rule; Santa Cruz County sets the exact dates and forms. The Arizona appeal process step by step.
Arizona rules from primary state sources, reviewed September 7, 2026; sources on the Arizona page.
Work out your own numbers
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How much house can I afford?
Your income, debts and down payment against the 28/36 rule lenders actually use, with Santa Cruz County's tax rate to hand.
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Mortgage calculator
Monthly payment with principal, interest, tax and insurance, plus what an extra payment saves you.
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Arizona income tax
Brackets, standard deduction and what Arizona actually taxes.
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Sales tax in Santa Cruz County
The other local tax: combined state and local rate for this county.
Sources
- Median real estate taxes paid and median home value for Santa Cruz County, Arizona: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020-2024), tables B25103, B25077, B25102, B25119 and B25003; the five-year comparison uses the 2015-2019 estimates. Neighboring counties: Census county adjacency file.