Santa Cruz County, AZ Property Tax: $1,387/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Santa Cruz County is 0.64% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $216,100, that works out to about $1,383 per year, or $115 per month. Santa Cruz County is located in southern Arizona, and is home to approximately 48,209 residents.
About Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County covers approximately 1,236.3 square miles in Arizona. The county is home to about 48,209 residents living in roughly 18,997 housing units, of which 60.5% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $53,614, and the median home was built in 1990.
Santa Cruz County borders Cochise County, Pima County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Arizona
Property taxes in Arizona are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Arizona offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Santa Cruz County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Santa Cruz County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz County, AZ | 0.64% | $216,100 | $1,383 |
| Arizona state average | 0.58% | — | $1,253* |
| Cochise County | 0.64% | $207,400 | $1,325 |
| Pima County | 0.78% | $286,900 | $2,248 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Santa Cruz County's median home value of $216,100. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Santa Cruz County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Arizona?
At 0.64%, Santa Cruz County is higher than the Arizona state average of 0.58%. On a home at the county median of $216,100, that means about $1,383 per year — versus $1,253 at the state average rate, a difference of $130 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Santa Cruz County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Santa Cruz County?
For a home at the county median value of $216,100, the annual property tax in Santa Cruz County is approximately $1,383 — or about $115 per month. For a home worth $324,150, expect around $2,075 per year. For a $432,200 home, approximately $2,766 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Santa Cruz County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Santa Cruz County are handled by the Santa Cruz County Assessor's office. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Santa Cruz County?
Arizona counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 0.64% shown here. Contact the Santa Cruz County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File