This is my September 2026 market update for Santa Cruz County and Monterey County. It pulls together the most recent available data through August 2026 for Santa Cruz County and through August 2026 for Monterey County: median home prices, year-over-year changes, active inventory, days on market, and how many homes are selling. I have gathered the figures from local, MLS-based reports so you can see exactly where we stand, whether you are buying, selling, or just tracking your home's value.

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, and I want you to make informed decisions. Here is what the data is telling us right now.

Santa Cruz County: Key Market Statistics

Santa Cruz County's market has shifted meaningfully over the past year. Active inventory is higher than it was a year ago, sales have picked up, and median prices have eased from their recent highs even as they remain among the strongest in coastal California. Buyers have more to choose from and a little more leverage, while sellers who price correctly and present their homes well are still seeing 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 County Association of REALTORS market statistics.
Active inventory (August 2026): about 506 active single-family listings, equal to roughly 4.0 months of supply.
Homes sold (August 2026): about 127 single-family homes closed.
Average days on market (August 2026): about 49 days.
Countywide three-month median: Redfin's figure came in near $1.2 million, down slightly year over year, showing that different sources and metrics land in a similar, slightly softer range.

The exact number depends on the month and the source, but the direction is consistent: prices have cooled from their peak while holding in a high, stable band, and supply has grown. That is the signature of a market moving toward balance.

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

The most recent countywide data from the Santa Cruz County Association of REALTORS puts the median single-family home price at approximately $1,350,000 for August 2026, down about 4.6% year over year. Redfin's countywide three-month median came in lower, near $1.2 million, essentially flat year over year. Both point the same way: values have leveled off rather than continuing to climb, while remaining among the most expensive coastal markets in the state.

How does inventory compare with last year?

Inventory has grown. Active single-family listings reached about 506 in August 2026, giving the county roughly 4.0 months of supply. Active listings have also spent time above the 400 mark through the spring and summer, a level not seen consistently in recent years. That is a real change: buyers have noticeably more to look at than they did a year or two ago, and the supply-demand math has loosened.

How fast are homes selling?

Homes in Santa Cruz County averaged about 49 days on market in August 2026. That is a slower, more deliberate pace than the peak-market years, and it reflects a buyer who is comparing more options and taking time to make decisions. Well-priced homes in sought-after neighborhoods still move faster than the countywide average, but on the whole, the market no longer feels like a race.

How many homes sold in the past month?

About 127 single-family homes closed escrow in Santa Cruz County in August 2026. Sales activity has stayed healthy and consistent, in line with a functional, active market where buyers are engaging 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 throughout Santa Cruz County. Figures vary by source and by whether they measure single-family homes, all home types, or typical values, so I have noted the range where sources differ:

Santa Cruz (city): Redfin put the median near $1.4 million over the most recent three months, essentially flat year over year, with an average sale price around $1.45 million. Each pocket, from the Westside to the Eastside to downtown, has its own rhythm.
Capitola: One of the county's hottest pockets. A recent snapshot put the median sold price around $1,002,000, while a single-family figure has run near $1.5 million. Competition here remains fierce for well-priced homes.
Aptos: Reported figures for the median single-family home have ranged from about $1.0 million to roughly $1.34 million, depending on the source and month. Beach access, redwoods, and top schools keep demand steady.
Soquel: Zillow's average home value was about $1,358,373, up about 4.0% year over year, while a single-family median has been reported near $1.4 million. Soquel Village charm keeps family demand strong.
Scotts Valley: Reported figures put the median around $1.4 million, up more than 15% year over year. Strong schools and the above-the-fog microclimate continue to drive demand.
Watsonville: Consistently the most accessible price point in the county. Redfin put the median around $649,000, down slightly year over year, and Zillow's average home value was about $833,282. 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 somewhat different story, with more available inventory and a quicker pace for well-priced homes. If you have flexibility on location, communities south of Watsonville offer opportunities you will not find further up the coast.

Median single-family home price: the most recent countywide report (February 2026) put it at about $880,000, down about 2.2% year over year, with a January median sold figure near $875,000.
Typical home value: Zillow reported about $795,788 for the county, down roughly 3.4% over the past year.
Active inventory (August 2026): about 473 active single-family listings, equal to roughly 2.8 months of supply.
Homes sold (August 2026): about 168 single-family homes closed during the month.
Median days on market (August 2026): about 27 days.

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

The most recent countywide report put the median single-family home price at about $880,000, down about 2.2% year over year, with other sources landing in the high-$800,000 range. Monterey County sits at a lower price point than Santa Cruz County, which continues to make it attractive to buyers looking for more value along the Central Coast.

What is inventory like in Monterey County?

There were about 473 active single-family listings in Monterey County in August 2026, with roughly 2.8 months of supply. Buyers have more to look at than they did in many recent seasons, and that extra choice shifts the negotiating dynamic in favor of prepared buyers.

How fast are homes selling in Monterey County?

Homes in Monterey County sold in a median of about 27 days in August 2026, a quick pace that reflects strong demand for well-priced properties. Listing condition and pricing vary by area, but motivated, well-priced homes are finding buyers quickly.

How many homes sold in Monterey County recently?

About 168 single-family homes sold in Monterey County in August 2026. Sales activity has stayed steady and healthy across a range of price points, reinforcing that this remains an active, functioning market.

What These Numbers Mean for Buyers

If you are a buyer in Santa Cruz County, here is the honest picture: this is a more balanced, more forgiving market than it was a few years ago, and conditions have been trending in your favor. With roughly 4.0 months of supply and homes averaging about 49 days on the market, you have more time to compare, to get inspections done, and to make offers with thought behind them. 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 in a buyer's favor. Inventory is up, the pace is quick for well-priced homes, and the median price point is meaningfully lower than in Santa Cruz County. This is a healthy window for buyers who are ready to act without dragging their feet, especially those flexible on location.

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, staged well, and presented beautifully. As a Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), I help sellers find that pricing sweet spot, because starting too high risks sitting while starting too low leaves money on the table.

In Monterey County, sellers have the benefit of a quick-moving market for well-priced homes, but buyer choice is up and prices have softened year over year. Homes priced competitively and marketed to the right audience sell fast, often within about four weeks on average. Preparation and realistic pricing are not optional here right now; they are what separate a smooth sale from a stale one.

Market Outlook: Where Are We Headed?

Santa Cruz County has moved from a strong seller's market toward a more balanced market, edging toward buyer-friendly. Active listings have climbed above the levels of recent years, sales volume is up, and a meaningful share of homes have seen price adjustments as sellers recalibrate to a more measured buyer. Prices have cooled 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 is similarly moving from a demand-heavy seller's market toward a balanced market. Inventory has risen, months of supply is up, and prices have cooled modestly year over year, with forecasts pointing to modest appreciation in the range of roughly 2 to 4% over the next year. Buyers who are ready and flexible have genuine opportunities, and sellers who price realistically are achieving strong results.

Mortgage rates remain the defining backdrop. The national average 30-year fixed rate has moved up to roughly 7.0% in mid-September 2026, its highest level in about a year, after dipping earlier in the year. Rates shape how much house buyers can qualify for, and they reinforce a "rate lock-in" effect: many current owners hold mortgages at historically low rates and are reluctant to sell, which keeps new supply tight in many coastal areas. Even so, the lasting appeal of Santa Cruz and Monterey living keeps demand steady, and affordability has improved to its best levels in years in California. People want to live here, and that scarcity of coastal supply, more than anything else, supports values over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, for homes that are priced correctly and presented well. Prices remain high, 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 around 49 days on the market, and a larger share of homes have room for negotiation. There is less frenzy than the peak-market years, which means room for inspections, due diligence, and offers with thought behind them. If you have been waiting for the market to cool before jumping in, 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 more balanced market, with conditions edging in the buyer's favor. With roughly 4.0 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. In Monterey County, conditions are closer to balanced, with more inventory and quick movement for well-priced homes.

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

Monterey County currently offers buyers more value per dollar and a similar supply picture. The median single-family home price sits around $880,000, versus roughly $1.35 million in Santa Cruz County, and there is strong inventory to sort through. For buyers flexible on location, communities from Royal Oaks south offer real opportunities.

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 over 12 years of licensed experience, more than 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 slowly, 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 PSA 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 more deliberate 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

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Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties Market Update — September 2026