Is Santa Cruz, CA 95065 a buyer’s or seller’s market?
Santa Cruz is a seller’s market. With about 3 months of supply and 47% of recent sales closing above the original list price, competing offers are common on well-priced homes. Buyers here often have a pre-approval in hand and a plan for the appraisal gap before touring.
More competitive than 76% of U.S. ZIP codes, and #310 of 1069 in the state.
Based on share sold above original list, sale-to-list ratio, months of supply and days on market for the 3 months ending August 31, 2026. See the breakdown
The Santa Cruz housing market right now
In the three months ending August 31, 2026, 47% of homes in Santa Cruz, CA 95065 sold above their list price, the typical home went under contract in 38 days and there were 3 months of supply. Under four months of supply means sellers have the edge: expect competition for well-priced homes. That’s based on 17 home sales.
Compared with the same period a year earlier, the share selling over asking rose from 29%, homes sold more slowly (27 days then) and the median sale price rose 9% to $1,453,871. Overall, Santa Cruz is more competitive than a year ago, so tougher for buyers.
Within Santa Cruz County, homes here sell more slowly than in 75% of the county’s ZIP codes, and sell more often over asking than in any other ZIP code in the county. On our competition score, Santa Cruz ranks #310 of 1,069 CA ZIP codes with enough sales (score 72 out of 100).
Nearby, buyers who want less competition could look at Freedom 95019 (0% sold over asking) or Los Gatos 95033 (12% sold over asking).
Run the numbers for 95065
Nearby markets
Aptos 95003Seller’s market $764 /sq ftBen Lomond 95005Seller’s market $570 /sq ftBoulder Creek 95006Seller’s market $521 /sq ftBrookdale 95007 — /sq ft Browse all markets →Towns like Santa Cruz nearby
Find towns like Santa Cruz in other states →Where Santa Cruz is
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Questions about Santa Cruz real estate
Is Santa Cruz a buyer’s or seller’s market?
A seller’s market: there were 3 months of supply in Santa Cruz, CA 95065 in the three months ending August 31, 2026. Under four months usually favors sellers, and more than six favors buyers.
How fast do homes sell in Santa Cruz?
The typical home went under contract in 38 days in the latest three months.
Do homes in Santa Cruz sell over asking?
47% of homes sold above their original list price, and the typical sale closed at 100.3% of the list price.
What are property taxes in Santa Cruz?
About 1.15% of a home’s value a year in Santa Cruz County, or roughly $4,600 on a $400,000 home.
What is the median home price in Santa Cruz?
The median sale price was $1,453,871 in the three months ending August 31, 2026, about $674 per square foot.
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Market data describes housing activity only. Figures are rolling 3-month values from Redfin and may be revised. Methodology