Santa Cruz Housing Market Report – March 2026
Here's a look at how the Santa Cruz, CA real estate market performed in March 2026, based on actual sold data from the MLS.
Market Snapshot
- Homes Sold: 48
- Median Sale Price: $1,275,000
- Average Sale Price: $1,301,727
- Average Price Per Sq Ft: $870
- Average Days on Market: 68
- Sale-to-List Price Ratio: 100.6%
Month-Over-Month Trends
Compared to February, the median sale price in Santa Cruz moved 4.5% down (from $1,335,000 to $1,275,000). The number of homes sold was 14.3% up compared to the prior month (42 vs. 48). Average days on market shifted 16.0% down (81 days to 68 days).
Year-Over-Year Comparison
Compared to March 2025, the median sale price is 20.0% up (from $1,062,500 to $1,275,000). Sales volume is 20.0% down year-over-year.
What This Means
Santa Cruz's housing market is showing mixed signals this March, with buyers and sellers dancing around a delicate middle ground. While sales volume jumped 14 percent month-over-month, that's partly a seasonal bounce as spring typically brings more activity. The bigger story is the year-over-year picture: prices are up 20 percent from last March, but sales are down that same amount, suggesting the market is cooling after a hot stretch. The median price dipped 4.5 percent from February, which could indicate either seasonal adjustment or buyers finally pushing back against sustained high prices.
What's encouraging is that homes are moving faster now—down to 68 days on market from 81 in February. That's significant. Sellers are also getting realistic: the 100.6 percent sale-to-list ratio shows homes selling essentially at asking price, meaning no aggressive bidding wars. With 176 active listings on the market, Santa Cruz finally has some breathing room compared to the chronic undersupply we've seen in recent years. For buyers, this represents a genuinely better negotiating position than six months ago. For sellers, though, this is a reality check—the days of effortless appreciation may be pausing.
Santa Cruz Sales by Zip Code
| Zip Code | Homes Sold | Median Price | Avg $/SqFt | Avg DOM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95060 | 21 | $1,400,000 | $819 | 55 |
| 95062 | 21 | $1,111,000 | $906 | 80 |
| 95065 | 5 | $1,300,000 | $922 | 42 |
| 95066 | 1 | $330,000 | N/A | 254 |
Sales by Property Type
| Property Type | Homes Sold | Median Price | Avg $/SqFt |
|---|---|---|---|
| SINGLE_FAMILY | 33 | $1,470,000 | $960 |
| MOBILE | 6 | $435,175 | $392 |
| CONDOS | 4 | $1,475,000 | $949 |
| LAND | 2 | $552,500 | N/A |
| TOWNHOMES | 2 | $742,500 | $791 |
| CONDO | 1 | $885,000 | $601 |
Sales by Price Range
| Price Range | Homes Sold |
|---|---|
| $200K - $299K | 1 |
| $300K - $399K | 2 |
| $400K - $499K | 3 |
| $500K - $749K | 2 |
| $750K+ | 40 |
Current Active Listings
As of this report, there are 176 active listings in Santa Cruz with a median asking price of $1,324,500 and an average of 95 days on market.
Thinking About Selling Your Santa Cruz Home?
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