How much is a home worth in ZIP code 95003?

The typical home in 95003 is worth $1,355,348, based on the Zillow Home Value Index.

Are home values rising in 95003?

Home values in 95003 are down 0.1% over the past year, and up 3.4% a year over five years.

What is the typical rent in 95003?

A typical home in 95003 rents for about $4,424 a month, a gross rental yield of 3.9%.

What is the property tax rate in 95003?

The effective property tax rate in 95003 is 0.6% — roughly $7,900 a year on a typical home.

ZIP code 95003 has a population of 24,951 and a median household income of $148,412.

HousingHandbookReference data

…

U.S. ZIP Code · CA95003

Santa Cruz County · Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Typical home value

$1,355,348^[1]

Zillow Home Value Index, as of April 2026

Appreciation

1-year: -0.1%
5-year / yr: +3.4%
10-year / yr: +4.8%

Relative price

vs U.S.: +377.1%
vs metro: +38.4%
vs state: +93.5%

Price history

Zillow Home Value Index — monthly, smoothed and seasonally adjusted.

The typical home in 95003 is worth $1,355,348 — 38.4% above the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA median. Over the past year, values have fallen 0.1%. Homes here rent for a typical $4,424 a month — a 3.9% gross rental yield. The effective property tax rate is 0.6%.

#Rent & investment

Typical asking rent, and the returns it implies at the current home value.

Monthly rent: $4,424^[2]
Gross yield: 3.9%^[2]
Cap rate: 2.3%^[2]

#Property tax

Effective rate — total real estate taxes paid relative to total home value.

Effective tax rate: 0.6%^[3]
Typical annual tax: $7,900^[3]

#Climate risk

FEMA National Risk Index ratings for Santa Cruz County. "Not Applicable" means the hazard does not threaten the county.

Overall risk: Relatively High^[4]
Riverine flood: Relatively High
Coastal flood: Relatively Low
Wildfire: Relatively Moderate
Drought: Relatively High
Heat wave: Relatively Moderate
Hurricane: Not Applicable
Tornado: Very Low
Earthquake: Relatively High
Winter weather: Relatively Low

#Who lives here

Population: 24,951^[3]
Median household income: $148,412^[3]

#Migration

Household moves in and out of Santa Cruz County over a year, from IRS tax-return data.

Net migration: -1,243^[5]
Moved in: 5,417
Moved out: 6,660

Schools

Open public schools in this ZIP, from the NCES Common Core of Data.

Public schools: 6
Elementary: 3
Middle: 1
High: 2

Aptos High
High · Grades 9–12 · Pajaro Valley Unified
1,316 students
Aptos Junior High
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Pajaro Valley Unified
588 students
Valencia Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6 · Pajaro Valley Unified
487 students
Rio del Mar Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6 · Pajaro Valley Unified
408 students
Mar Vista Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6 · Pajaro Valley Unified
311 students

Run the numbers

Interactive calculators pre-filled with this ZIP's typical home value, rent, and property-tax rate. Edit any field to recompute.

Home value$Monthly rent$

Gross yield3.9%

Net yield (after ~40% expenses)2.3%

Annual rent$53,083

Gross and net yield are estimates based on the inputs and the selected expense ratio. Actual income and expenses will vary by property and market. Not investment advice.

Home price$Down payment%Interest rate%Loan termyears

Monthly payment$6,853

Loan principal$1,084,279

Down payment$271,070

Total interest paid$1,382,938

Estimated monthly payments include principal and interest only. Actual costs will include property tax, insurance, possibly PMI, and HOA fees not modeled here. Loan terms shown are estimates; consult a licensed lender for current rates and qualification.

Home price$Monthly rent$Down payment%Mortgage rate%Property tax rate% / yrMaintenance% / yrRule of thumb: 1% of home value per year.

Own : rent ratio1.95

Monthly cost to own$8,638

Monthly rent$4,424

Renting is meaningfully cheaper month-to-month.

This calculator projects multi-year scenarios based on assumptions about appreciation, rent growth, and investment returns — none of which are guaranteed. Actual outcomes depend on variables this tool cannot know. Not financial or real estate advice.

#Metro ranking

Where this ZIP sits among others in its metro area.

Appreciation: 69th percentile^[1]
Rental yield: 88th percentile^[2]
Property tax: 27th percentile^[3]

Frequently asked

How much is a home worth in ZIP code 95003?: The typical home in 95003 is worth $1,355,348, based on the Zillow Home Value Index.
Are home values rising in 95003?: Home values in 95003 are down 0.1% over the past year, and up 3.4% a year over five years.
What is the typical rent in 95003?: A typical home in 95003 rents for about $4,424 a month, a gross rental yield of 3.9%.
What is the property tax rate in 95003?: The effective property tax rate in 95003 is 0.6% — roughly $7,900 a year on a typical home.
Who lives in 95003?: ZIP code 95003 has a population of 24,951 and a median household income of $148,412.

#Comparable ZIPs

Same metro, nearest typical home value. Each card shows the comparable ZIP's headline numbers so you can scan at a glance.

95065 vs 95003 →
Live Oak CDP, CA
Typical home
$1,363,617
Gross yield
—
95073 vs 95003 →
Soquel CDP, CA
Typical home
$1,345,344
Gross yield
—
95062
Santa Cruz, CA
Typical home
$1,329,040
Gross yield
3.2%
95060
Bonny Doon CDP, CA
Typical home
$1,389,865
Gross yield
3.1%
95066
Scotts Valley, CA
Typical home
$1,287,037
Gross yield
3.6%
95010
Capitola, CA
Typical home
$1,251,970
Gross yield
3.2%

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#Jump to section

U.S. ZIP Code · CA95003

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