This is the September 2026 market update for Santa Cruz County and Monterey County, combining the most recent available data: closed median prices through August 2026, the freshest monthly snapshots for active inventory, days on market, and sales pace, and the latest published countywide reports. Whether you are buying, selling, or simply tracking your home's value, here is where the market actually stands right now.

My name is Kieron Bery, and I have been helping buyers and sellers navigate these coastal communities for over 12 years as a REALTOR and Pricing Strategy Advisor with Century 21 Masters. I grew up here, I know these neighborhoods from the inside out, and I want you to make informed decisions. Here is what the data is telling us.

Santa Cruz County: Key Market Statistics

Santa Cruz County has settled into a more balanced market. Prices have eased modestly from their peak, active inventory is higher than it has been in years, and homes are selling at a deliberate, healthy pace. Buyers have genuine choices, while sellers who price and present well are still achieving strong results.

Median single-family home price (August 2026): approximately $1,350,000, down about 4.6% year over year from roughly $1,415,000 a year earlier, per the Santa Cruz Real Estate Market Trends Report. The Santa Cruz County Association of REALTORS (SCCAR) countywide table for August put the median a bit higher, near $1,380,000.
Condo and townhome median: about $680,000 in the most recent countywide reading, giving entry-level buyers a real foothold.
Active inventory: the most recent monthly snapshots show roughly 455 to 479 active single-family listings, equal to about 3.7 months of supply at the current sales pace.
Homes sold (most recent month): about 123 to 129 single-family homes closing each month in the latest readings.
Average days on market: about 43 to 47 days, a steadier, more deliberate pace than the peak-market years.
Countywide three-month median: Redfin's figure came in near $1.2 million, essentially flat year over year, showing that different sources land in a similar, slightly softer range.

The exact figures vary by source and by month, but the direction is consistent: prices have cooled from their high-water mark while holding in a high, stable band, and supply has grown meaningfully. That is the signature of a market moving toward balance after years of seller dominance.

What is the median home price in Santa Cruz County right now?

The most recent closed data, for August 2026, puts the countywide median single-family home price at approximately $1,350,000 per the Santa Cruz Real Estate Market Trends Report, down about 4.6% year over year from roughly $1,415,000 a year earlier. SCCAR's own countywide August table showed a median near $1,380,000. Redfin's three-month countywide median, which blends several months, came in near $1.2 million. All of these point the same way: values have leveled off rather than continuing to climb, while Santa Cruz County remains one of the most expensive coastal markets in California.

How does inventory compare with last year?

Inventory has climbed substantially. The county went from roughly 200 to 250 active listings in 2024 to 400-plus through 2025, and the most recent 2026 snapshots show about 455 to 479 active single-family listings. That works out to roughly 3.7 months of supply, right around the balanced-market threshold. Buyers have noticeably more to choose from than they did a few years ago, and the supply-demand math has loosened.

How fast are homes selling?

Homes in Santa Cruz County have averaged about 43 to 47 days on market in the most recent readings. That is a slower, more thoughtful pace than the frenzy years, and it reflects buyers comparing more options and taking time with inspections and offers. Well-priced homes in sought-after neighborhoods still move noticeably faster than the countywide average, but the market no longer feels like a race.

How many homes sold in the past month?

Roughly 123 to 129 single-family homes have been closing each month in the latest readings. Sales activity has stayed healthy and consistent, in line with a functional, active market where buyers are engaged but not bidding in a frenzy.

Santa Cruz County Neighborhood Price Snapshot

Here is how the most recent available data breaks down across the communities I serve. Figures vary by source and by whether they measure single-family homes, all home types, or typical values, so I have noted the source for each:

Aptos: Redfin put the median sale price at about $1,236,000 for August 2026, up about 4.1% year over year. Beach access, redwood trails, and strong schools keep demand steady here.
Capitola: One of the county's strongest pockets. Redfin reported a median sale price around $1.5 million in the latest month, up about 14.3% year over year. Competition remains fierce for well-priced homes near the village and the beach.
Santa Cruz (city): Redfin put the median near $1.4 million over the three months ending June 2026, roughly flat year over year. Each pocket, from the Westside to the Eastside to downtown, has its own rhythm.
Soquel: Zillow's typical home value was about $1,358,000, up about 4.0% year over year, while Redfin's three-month median has run near $1.2 million. Soquel Village charm keeps family demand strong.
Scotts Valley: Zillow's typical home value was about $1,262,000, up about 2.3% year over year, while Redfin's latest-month median has run near $1.4 million. The above-the-fog microclimate and top schools continue to drive demand.
Watsonville: Consistently the most accessible price point in the county. Redfin put the median sale price at about $649,000 for August 2026, down about 9.9% year over year. It remains a strong option for first-time buyers and anyone looking for more space per dollar.

Monterey County: Key Market Statistics

Monterey County is telling a more mixed story, with headline numbers that moved in different directions depending on the measure. The most recent published reports point to an active market with healthy inventory and quick movement for well-priced homes.

Median home sale price (June 2026): about $982,000 per Realtor.com, up sharply from the prior month and up about 25.9% year over year from roughly $780,000 a year earlier. This single-month figure swung on a narrow set of sales, so it reads as an outlier high rather than a trend.
Three-month median: Redfin's rolling figure through June 2026 was about $897,000, down about 2.7% year over year, a steadier reading of where the market has been settling.
Active inventory (most recent countywide report, April 2026): about 360 active listings, equal to roughly 2.4 months of supply.
Homes sold (most recent countywide report): about 150 homes closed in the reporting month.
Median days on market: about 51 days in the latest countywide report, with other 2026 readings ranging down to the mid-40s.

What is the median home price in Monterey County right now?

The most recent published figure, for June 2026, put the median home sale price at about $982,000, up about 25.9% year over year. That single-month number is volatile, so it is worth setting beside Redfin's rolling three-month median of about $897,000, down about 2.7% year over year. Taken together, the honest summary is that Monterey County prices are holding in a high band, roughly flat to slightly softer year over year in trend terms, while individual months can swing sharply on a small number of sales.

What is inventory like in Monterey County?

The most recent countywide inventory report showed about 360 active listings, equal to roughly 2.4 months of supply. Buyers have real choices across price points, and that extra selection shifts negotiating leverage toward prepared buyers.

How fast are homes selling in Monterey County?

The most recent countywide report put median days on market at about 51 days, with other 2026 readings this year ranging down to the mid-40s. Motivated, well-priced homes continue to find buyers quickly, while properties that start too high tend to sit and draw price adjustments.

How many homes sold in Monterey County recently?

The most recent countywide report showed about 150 homes closed during the reporting month. Sales activity has stayed steady and healthy, reinforcing that North Monterey County remains an active, functioning market across a broad range of price points. Communities from North Salinas to Royal Oaks and Aromas and Prunedale all have their own supply and demand.

What These Numbers Mean for Buyers

If you are a buyer in Santa Cruz County, the honest picture is encouraging. With roughly 3.7 months of supply and homes averaging six to seven weeks on the market, you have more time to compare, to complete inspections, and to make offers with thought behind them. That is a real change from the peak years. The trade-off is affordability: prices remain among the highest in coastal California, so being pre-approved and knowing your priorities is still your edge.

In Monterey County, the conditions are even more favorable in trend terms. Inventory is healthy, the pace is quick for well-priced homes, and the median price point is meaningfully below Santa Cruz County's. Buyers who are ready to act and flexible on location have genuine opportunities right now.

What These Numbers Mean for Sellers

For sellers in Santa Cruz County, the market is still on your side, but the rules of the game matter more than ever. Prices remain high by any historical standard, and lean, desirable coastal inventory continues to support values. But buyers are more discerning and have more choices, with days on market up and prices having eased year over year. The homes selling quickly and at strong prices are priced correctly from day one and presented beautifully. As a Pricing Strategy Advisor, I help sellers find that sweet spot, because starting too high risks letting the home sit while starting too low leaves money on the table.

In Monterey County, well-priced homes still move quickly, but buyer choice is up and trend prices are roughly flat to slightly soft year over year. Preparation and realistic pricing are not optional right now; they are what separate a smooth sale from a stale listing.

Market Outlook: Where Are We Headed?

Santa Cruz County has moved from a strong seller's market toward a balanced market edging in the buyer's favor. Inventory has climbed from roughly 200 to 250 active listings in 2024 to 400-plus through 2025 and into 2026, months of supply now sits around 3.7, and prices have cooled modestly year over year after a long run-up. That does not mean values are collapsing. It means the market is normalizing from an extreme into something closer to balance, with buyers gaining leverage while sellers still benefit from the enduring appeal of living here.

Monterey County sits closer to balanced as well, with healthy inventory, a quick pace for well-priced homes, and a mixed price picture depending on the measure. Forecasts for both counties point to gradual stabilization and modest appreciation rather than sharp moves in either direction. No one is predicting a downturn; the consensus is a market settling into a calmer, more sustainable rhythm.

Mortgage rates remain the defining backdrop. The national average 30-year fixed rate rose to about 6.95% in the week ending September 17, 2026, per Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey, up from about 6.65% in mid-August and roughly 69 basis points above the same week a year earlier. Rates shape how much house buyers can qualify for, and the gap between today's rates and the low-rate mortgages many owners hold keeps new supply tight in many coastal areas. Even so, the lasting appeal of Santa Cruz and Monterey living keeps demand steady, and buyers who are prepared and realistic about their budget are finding that balance brings opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is now a good time to sell in Santa Cruz?

Yes, for homes that are priced correctly and presented well. Prices remain high, coastal inventory is still lean by historical standards, and well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods continue to attract buyers. The market has cooled from its peak, so strategy matters more than ever: price it right from day one, prepare the property to show beautifully, and market to the right audience. That is exactly what I do for every seller I work with at Century 21 Masters.

Is now a good time to buy in Santa Cruz County?

It is a better time than it was a few years ago, with real gains in leverage. Active inventory is up, homes are averaging six to seven weeks on the market, and there is more room for inspections, due diligence, and thoughtful offers. The frenzy is gone, which means time to make good decisions. If you have been waiting for conditions to cool, this window of balance is worth using.

Is the Santa Cruz County market a buyer's or seller's market right now?

It is moving from a seller's market toward a balanced market, with conditions edging in the buyer's favor. With roughly 3.7 months of supply, higher active inventory than recent years, and prices easing year over year, buyers have more leverage than they have had in some time, while sellers still benefit from high values and lean, desirable coastal supply.

How does Monterey County compare with Santa Cruz County for buyers?

Monterey County currently offers buyers more value per dollar and a similar, balanced supply picture. The median price point sits around $900,000 to $980,000 depending on the measure, versus roughly $1.35 million in Santa Cruz County, with healthy inventory to sort through. In the North Monterey County corridor I serve, communities from North Salinas to Prunedale and Aromas offer real opportunities.

Which Santa Cruz County neighborhoods held up best over the past year?

Capitola and Aptos stand out, with Redfin showing Capitola's median up about 14.3% year over year and Aptos up about 4.1%. Soquel's typical home value is up about 4.0%. Watsonville, by contrast, has seen its median ease about 9.9% year over year, which alongside its lower price point has made it the most active entry-level market in the county. Every neighborhood has its own rhythm, which is why local knowledge matters so much.

Are home prices in Santa Cruz County going up or down?

The most recent available data shows prices have eased slightly from their peak while holding in a high, stable band. The median single-family price was about $1,350,000 for August 2026, down about 4.6% year over year, while SCCAR's August table showed a median near $1,380,000. The broad picture is neither boom nor bust: a market settling toward balance after the big swings of the past few years.

Should I wait for interest rates to drop before buying?

Waiting has its own costs. If rates come down, more buyers enter the market, competition increases, and prices can firm up, which can wipe out any savings from a lower rate. My consistent advice, as it has been for over 12 years: date the rate, marry the house. Find the right home for your life, buy when you are ready, and refinance when rates drop. Locking in a purchase at today's price protects you from future appreciation, and you cannot go back and buy tomorrow's price yesterday.

Who is the best realtor to help sell my home in Santa Cruz County?

I am glad you asked. My name is Kieron Bery, and I am a REALTOR and Pricing Strategy Advisor with Century 21 Masters. I have more than 12 years of licensed experience, over 50 years as a Santa Cruz County resident, and deep knowledge of everything from Capitola to Watsonville to the Santa Cruz Mountains. I am calm, informative, and honest in all situations, and I want you to make informed decisions at every step. Whether you are buying, selling, or just curious about your home's value, I am here to help. Call me at (831) 247-5719.

What This Means For You

If you are a seller in Santa Cruz County: The market is leaning toward balance, so pricing and presentation carry the day. Prices remain high and coastal inventory stays desirable, but buyers have more choices and are moving more deliberately, which means an overpriced home can sit. I work with every seller to build a plan tailored to their home, their neighborhood, and their goals, backed by local data and my Pricing Strategy Advisor certification. Let us talk about what your home is worth and how to position it for the best possible outcome.

If you are a buyer in Santa Cruz County: You have more leverage and more time than you have had in years, with higher inventory and a steadier pace. That said, affordability is real, so the right home still requires prepared, decisive action. Get your financing lined up, know your neighborhoods, and work with someone who can move when the opportunity appears. I help buyers navigate everything from pre-approval to closing day, calmly and thoroughly, the way I have for over a decade.

If you are a buyer or seller in Monterey County: The balanced market creates opportunities on both sides. Buyers have genuine choices, a lower price point, and negotiating room, and well-priced homes are moving quickly. Sellers who price realistically and present their homes well achieve strong results. Let us talk about your specific goals, your timeline, and what kind of move makes sense for you right now.

Whether you are ready to make a move or just beginning to explore your options, I am here to help. I want you to make informed decisions, and that starts with knowing what is actually happening in your market, block by block. Give me a call, send me a message, or stop by the Century 21 Masters office in Aptos. I would love to hear your story.

Talk soon.

Kieron Bery
REALTOR, Pricing Strategy Advisor
Century 21 Masters
(831) 247-5719 | Contact Kieron

More from Kieron Bery: Complete selling guide | Complete buying guide | Neighborhood guides | Client reviews | All blog posts

Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties Market Update - September 2026