HousingHandbookReference data

U.S. ZIP Code · CA95018

Santa Cruz County · Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Typical home value

$842,568[1]

Zillow Home Value Index, as of April 2026

Appreciation

1-year
+1.7%
5-year / yr
+2.0%
10-year / yr
+4.3%

Relative price

vs U.S.
+196.6%
vs metro
-14.0%
vs state
+20.3%
ZIP 95018 location in CA
Location of ZIP 95018 in CA

Price history

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

The typical home in 95018 is worth $842,568 — 14.0% below the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA median. Over the past year, values have risen 1.7%. Homes here rent for a typical $2,500 a month — a 3.6% 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
$2,500[2]
Gross yield
3.6%[2]
Cap rate
2.1%[2]

#Property tax

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

Effective tax rate
0.6%[3]
Typical annual tax
$5,263[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
6,594[3]
Median household income
$129,464[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
4
Elementary
1
Middle
1
High
1
  • San Lorenzo Valley High

    High · Grades 9–12 · San Lorenzo Valley Unified

    622 students

  • San Lorenzo Valley Elementary

    Elementary · Grades K–5 · San Lorenzo Valley Unified

    562 students

  • San Lorenzo Valley Middle

    Middle · Grades 6–8 · San Lorenzo Valley Unified

    411 students

  • Ludlow Preschool

    Not reported · Grades M · San Lorenzo Valley Unified

Run the numbers

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

Gross yield3.6%
Net yield (after ~40% expenses)2.1%
Annual rent$30,000

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.

Monthly payment$4,260
Loan principal$674,054
Down payment$168,514
Total interest paid$859,719

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.

Own : rent ratio2.16
Monthly cost to own$5,398
Monthly rent$2,500

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
31st percentile[1]
Rental yield
63rd percentile[2]
Property tax
33rd percentile[3]

Frequently asked

How much is a home worth in ZIP code 95018?
The typical home in 95018 is worth $842,568, based on the Zillow Home Value Index.
Are home values rising in 95018?
Home values in 95018 are up 1.7% over the past year, and up 2.0% a year over five years.
What is the typical rent in 95018?
A typical home in 95018 rents for about $2,500 a month, a gross rental yield of 3.6%.
What is the property tax rate in 95018?
The effective property tax rate in 95018 is 0.6% — roughly $5,263 a year on a typical home.
Who lives in 95018?
ZIP code 95018 has a population of 6,594 and a median household income of $129,464.

#Comparable ZIPs

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

  • Interlaken CDP, CA

    Typical home
    $842,113
    Gross yield
    4.4%
  • Mount Hermon CDP, CA

    Typical home
    $806,650
    Gross yield
  • Ben Lomond CDP, CA

    Typical home
    $919,727
    Gross yield
    3.0%
  • Watsonville, CA

    Typical home
    $765,375
    Gross yield
  • Brookdale CDP, CA

    Typical home
    $763,537
    Gross yield
  • Boulder Creek CDP, CA

    Typical home
    $726,574
    Gross yield

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