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Santa Cruz, CA Rent Affordability Calculator

The median rent in the Santa Cruz, CA area is $2,264 a month including utilities, which takes 24% of the median household income ($111,093). Paying it on 30% of income needs about $90,560 a year.

On $111,000 a year, 30% of income is $2,775 a month for rent. A $2,260 rent takes 24.4% of gross income; many landlords want income of 40 times the rent, $90,400.

Rent you can afford
$2,775 a month
That rent takes
24.4% of income
Income a landlord may ask for (40× rent)
$90,400

Rent you can afford in Santa Cruz, CA by income (30% rule)

IncomeAffordable rentAgainst the median rent
$40,000$1,000−55.8%
$60,000$1,500−33.7%
$80,000$2,000−11.7%
$100,000$2,50010.4%
$150,000$3,75065.6%

How this calculator works

Median gross rent and median household income for the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metropolitan area, from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Affordable rent is 30% of gross monthly income.

What it assumes

  • Medians across all rentals, of every size and age; new listings usually ask more.

Questions people ask

What is the average rent in Santa Cruz, CA?

The median gross rent is $2,264 a month, including utilities (Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

What salary do I need to live in Santa Cruz, CA?

To rent at the median on 30% of income, about $90,560 a year; many landlords ask for 40 times the rent, $90,560.

Is rent affordable in Santa Cruz, CA?

The median rent takes 24% of the median household income there, within the 30% guideline.

How does the cost of living in Santa Cruz, CA compare?

Overall prices are 9.9% above the US average, and housing 64.3% above (BEA, 2024).

Nearby and large metro areas

Related calculators

  • Rent Affordability CalculatorThe rent your income supports under the 30% guideline, what a given rent takes of your pay, and the income landlords often ask for, with median rents in large metro areas.
  • Santa Cruz, CA Cost of Living CalculatorPrices in the Santa Cruz, CA area are 9.9% above the US average, and housing 64.3% above (BEA, 2024). Compare a salary here with anywhere else.
  • Rent vs Buy CalculatorWhether buying or renting leaves you better off after the years you plan to stay, counting mortgage interest, tax, upkeep, selling costs and what a renter earns investing the down payment.

Sources

Updated by the RateHerald team. The maths is tested against worked examples; report a problem.