The city of Santa Cruz is made up of a number of neighborhoods—from Seabright down by the waterfront to Westlake up in the hills, by the university campus—and each have their own unique characteristics.
Santa Cruz’s real estate market has seen a general increase in property value from last year, continuing in an upward trajectory. Both 2023 and 2024 saw an average sale price (for a single-family home) of roughly $1,700,000, though with a slight drop in 2024. Comparatively, the average sale price across Santa Cruz County as a whole increased from $1,303,533 to $1,359,649 (2023 to 2024, respectively).
In May 2025, the average sale price for a detached home in Santa Cruz proper was $1,784,986, a number which fluctuates slightly based on neighborhood. Below is a rough guide to home prices in some of the city’s most well-known areas.
Westlake
One of the most desirable neighborhoods in Santa Cruz, Westlake homes are positioned in the Upper West Side of the city, within winding streets on the hillside. Attractive particularly to growing families because of its close proximity to schools and the neighborhood’s central park, Westlake has a lot of curb appeal, with properties that overlook the city and the bay below.
Of course, these amenities and these views come at a higher price point. Properties in Westlake, which is made up of single-family homes, start at higher than average for the city.
Stats as of June 2025
Highest listed price: $4.1M
Lowest listed price: $1.4M
Westcliff
Another neighborhood in Santa Cruz, Westcliff is centered on West Cliff Drive, south of Bay Street and Delaware Avenue—and between Natural Bridges State Beach and Cowell Beach. These homes, particularly those in the west end of the neighborhood, are sought after for their ocean view location, with a number of properties having unobstructed views of the water.
Homes in this neighborhood are a mixture of older properties and new construction projects, which makes this one of the more diverse areas in terms of architectural style. Westcliff, which is on the coast, also has a sister neighborhood in Pleasure Point, along East Cliff Drive, with similar home features and amenities.
Stats as of June 2025
Highest listed price: $5.7M
Lowest listed price: $1.7M
The Circles
A small neighborhood just north of Westcliff, The Circles is recognizable on maps for its circular streets which used to curve around the Garfield Park Christian Church. The Circles is an established, residential neighborhood, and single-family homes in this area are typically priced a little bit lower than other areas of Santa Cruz—though properties (many of them older bungalows) are also smaller in square footage.
One of the biggest benefits for living in the circles, other than its family-friendly atmosphere, is its location. It’s just minutes away from the beach, the downtown, schools, and city parks.
Stats as of June 2025
Highest listed price: $1.4M
Lowest listed price: $975K
Downtown
The downtown area of Santa Cruz is vibrant, consisting of historic homes and new construction properties—which include detached houses and condos/townhomes. Incredibly walkable, the downtown is the city’s hub for shopping and dining, with an emphasis on local shops and businesses. The main stretch of Downtown Santa Cruz is centered on Pacific Avenue.
Properties, particularly single-family homes, are sought-after, mostly because of their historic charms and quirks. However, while many homes have been well-maintained over the years, houses for sale in the downtown might require some updates or upgrades.
Stats as of June 2025
Highest listed price: $2.9M
Lowest listed price: $1.4M
Beach Flats
Tucked away by the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the neighborhood of Beach Flats. Aptly named, this neighborhood is just a short walk away from the Wharf, Cowell Beach, and even the downtown—though a car is recommended. Comprising both multi-family homes and single-family homes, Beach Flats is considered one of the more affordable areas to live in Santa Cruz.
Beach Flats properties are usually smaller in size, with many properties that have been rebuilt or converted to multi-family homes. Additionally, there are not usually a lot of active listings in the neighborhood.
Stats as of June 2025
Highest listed price: $1.5M
Lowest listed price: $1.4M
All statistics have been retrieved from the Santa Cruz MLS [MLSListings, Inc.] and from the Santa Cruz County Association of REALTORS®.
Searching for a home in Santa Cruz or Santa Cruz County? Connect with Lauren Spencer of MySantaCruzRealEstate to refine your search.
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