Featured Rentals
Special Interest
Housing in Santa Cruz County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Santa Cruz County averages $2,264/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the California median of $2,036 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 34% of household income on rent, above the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Santa Cruz County FMR Area are $3,310 for a studio, $3,434 for 1‑bedroom, $4,388 for 2‑bedroom, $5,599 for 3‑bedroom, and $5,892 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $2124 increase for a 2-bedroom in Santa Cruz County shows a 94% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Santa Cruz County was 5.9% in 2024, compared to California at 5.3% and the national rate of 4.0%.
