Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties Market Update — September 2026

This is the September 2026 market update for Santa Cruz County and Monterey County. It covers the most recent available data through mid-2026: median home prices, year-over-year changes, active inventory, days on market, and how many homes are selling. I have pulled together the numbers 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 tightened noticeably compared with a year ago, even as prices hold in a strong, stable range. Inventory is down year over year, homes are moving at a steady clip, and the county remains one of the most desirable coastal markets in California.

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

The most recent available data shows the median single-family home price in Santa Cruz County at approximately $1,350,000 for June 2026, essentially flat year over year according to the county real estate market trends report. A county market snapshot put the median closed single-family price at about $1,375,000 for July 2026. Prices have stabilized: not climbing the way they did during the pandemic peak, but not falling either. The typical home value for the county, per Zillow, was about $1,158,616, up roughly 3.9% year over year.

How does inventory compare with last year?

Inventory has tightened. There were about 442 active single-family listings in June 2026 (444 in July), compared with 532 in June 2025. That is down roughly 17% year over year. On top of that, there were about 125 condos and townhomes on the market in July. The county was running at about 2.9 months of supply in June, down from about 4.1 months a year earlier. In practical terms, there is less to choose from than there was a year ago, and each listing is drawing more attention.

How fast are homes selling?

Homes averaged about 31 to 33 days on market in June 2026, up from about 26 days in June 2025. The median single-family home in July 2026 sat for about 45 days before offers. What that tells us: well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods still sell quickly, but buyers are taking a beat longer to make decisions than they did during the peak. Countywide, median days on market was about 41 days in May, per the St. Louis Fed.

How many homes sold in the past month?

About 155 single-family homes closed escrow in Santa Cruz County in June 2026, up from about 130 in June 2025. Even with less inventory, sales volume is running ahead of last year, which tells me buyer demand remains healthy. There is genuinely strong appetite for homes here when they are priced and presented right.

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:

Santa Cruz (city): Median around $1,485,000, up about 3.5% year over year. Homes were averaging about 36 days on market. Each pocket has its own rhythm, from the Westside to the Eastside to downtown.
Capitola: Among the county's hottest pockets. Median sale prices around $1.5 million, up roughly 14% year over year, and the single-family median reached about $1,857,500 in June with listings moving in around 8 days. Competition here remains fierce.
Aptos: The single-family median was about $1,595,000 in July 2026, up about 13.9% over the prior three months, with about 59 active listings and roughly a 32-day median days on market. The average home value has risen modestly year over year at about 1.5%.
Soquel: The single-family median was about $1,455,000 in May 2026, up about 6.8% over the prior three months. Redfin places Soquel's three-month median sale around $1.2 million, up about 17% year over year. Soquel Village charm keeps family demand strong.
Scotts Valley: The 2025 annual MLS median was about $1,350,000, and early-2026 data shows medians around $1.4 million, up more than 15% year over year in some months. Strong schools and the above-the-fog microclimate continue to drive demand.
Watsonville: By far the most accessible entry point in the county. The 2025 annual median single-family price was about $800,000, well below the countywide figure. For first-time buyers, growing families, and anyone looking for more space per dollar, Watsonville remains the value play.

Monterey County: Key Market Statistics

Monterey County's market is telling a slightly different story, with more available inventory and prices that have eased a bit year over year. If you have flexibility on location, communities south of Watsonville offer opportunities you will not find further up the coast.

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

Redfin puts the median home price in Monterey County at about $897,000 for June 2026 (all home types), down about 2.7% year over year. MLSListings showed a single-family median around $955,000 for July 2026, while the county real estate report showed a median of about $979,500 in April 2026, up 6.8% year over year. The exact number depends on the month and metric, but the direction is consistent: Monterey County prices are holding near the $900,000 to $1 million range, with some month-to-month give and take.

What is inventory like in Monterey County?

There were about 516 active listings in May 2026, up from about 397 in January. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis reported about 479 active listings for April, following 444 in February. Buyers simply have more to look at than they did earlier in the year, and more than they did in many recent seasons. That extra choice changes the negotiating dynamic in favor of prepared buyers.

How fast are homes selling in Monterey County?

Median days on market was about 47 days countywide in May 2026, down from about 79 days in January. Redfin's broader measure put time to contract at about 22 days over the three months ending June. Listing condition and pricing vary by area, but motivated, well-priced homes are still finding buyers within about a month on average.

How many homes sold in Monterey County recently?

About 150 single-family homes sold in Monterey County in April 2026, and roughly 2,720 residential properties sold countywide in the trailing 12 months, per Property Focus. Sales activity remains steady even as the mix of what is selling has shifted.

What These Numbers Mean for Buyers

If you are a buyer in Santa Cruz County, here is the honest picture: this remains a competitive, inventory-constrained market. With about 2.9 months of supply, well-priced homes in sought-after pockets like Capitola, Aptos, and the Westside of Santa Cruz still draw attention quickly. The good news is that homes are sitting slightly longer than they did a year ago, which gives you a little more time for inspections, thought, and thoughtful offers. Being pre-approved, knowing your priorities, and working with an agent who can move quickly is your edge.

In Monterey County, the conditions are more in a buyer's favor. Inventory is up, prices have eased a bit year over year, and median days on market has come down from winter levels. You have choices, and with steady sales under the surface, there is room to negotiate on price and terms. This is a healthy window for buyers who are ready to act without dragging their feet.

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. There is less competition from other listings than there was a year ago, which is genuinely good news. But buyers are more discerning and slightly slower to commit. 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 need to be especially strategic. With buyer choice up, overpriced listings sit and collect days on market. Homes priced competitively and marketed to the right audience still sell, often within about a month. Preparation and realistic pricing are not optional here right now, they are what separates a smooth sale from a stale one.

Market Outlook: Where Are We Headed?

Santa Cruz County is currently a seller-leaning market heading toward balance. With about 2.9 months of supply and inventory down roughly 17% year over year, the supply-demand math still favors sellers, but prices have flattened from their peaks and buyers are under no illusion that they must offer over asking on every home. This is a stabilization market, and stabilization creates excellent conditions for deliberate, prepared clients on both sides.

Monterey County is sitting closer to a balanced market, with more inventory than it had midwinter, prices slightly softer than a year ago, and steady sales underneath. Competition varies by price point and town, but the overall picture is one of choice for buyers and discipline for sellers. Buyers who are flexible on location and sellers who are disciplined on pricing both have real opportunities.

Looking ahead, mortgage rates remain a defining factor. They are not the historic lows of a few years ago, and they shape how much house buyers can qualify for. Rates also shape seller behavior: some would-be sellers are staying put rather than giving up low-rate mortgages, which keeps new supply tight in many coastal areas. Against that backdrop, the lasting appeal of Santa Cruz and Monterey living keeps demand steady. People want to live here. That scarcity of coastal supply, more than anything else, is what 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. Inventory is down roughly 17% year over year, which means less competition from other listings, and the county remains a seller-leaning market at about 2.9 months of supply. Homes in desirable neighborhoods are still attracting buyers within about a month on average. The key is strategy: 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 a seller's market like Santa Cruz County?

It is a better time than it was a year ago, though still competitive. Homes are sitting slightly longer than they were in 2025, inventory is still lean, and the best homes in hot pockets get attention quickly. But there is less frenzy than the 2021 and 2022 peak, 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 stabilization is worth using.

How does Watsonville compare to other Santa Cruz County communities?

Watsonville offers the most accessible price point in Santa Cruz County, with a 2025 annual median single-family price around $800,000 compared with the countywide figure near $1.35 million. It is an excellent option for first-time buyers, growing families, and buyers looking for more space per dollar. The community has its own thriving agricultural heritage, local amenities, and easy access to both the coast and the Pajaro Valley.

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

Monterey County currently offers buyers more options: about 516 active listings in late spring, more balanced conditions, and a median price in the upper $800,000 to high $900,000 range versus Santa Cruz County's $1.35 million area figure. Prices there have eased about 2.7% year over year, which contrasts with Santa Cruz County's flat-to-slightly-up trend. For buyers flexible on location, neighborhoods from Royal Oaks south offer real value.

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

The most recent available data shows prices have stabilized. The median single-family price in Santa Cruz County was about $1,350,000 in June 2026, essentially flat year over year, coming in at about $1,375,000 for July. Meanwhile the typical home value per Zillow has crept up about 3.9% year over year. The broad picture is neither boom nor bust: a market settling into a sustainable range 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 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 tight on inventory and still favors you, but buyers are savvier than they were in the frenzy years. Pricing, preparation, and presentation carry the day. 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 a little more breathing room than a year ago, but the inventory math means the right home still requires quick, prepared 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 and negotiating room. 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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