Rent in Santa Cruz County, CA at a glance
2-bedroom rent (HUD)
$4,214$50,568 a year · HUD fiscal year 2026From October 1, 2026: $4,254 (+0.9%)How much rent can you afford in Santa Cruz County, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
Rent in Santa Cruz County, CA by bedroom, and the pay it takes
Income needed keeps rent at 30% of gross pay; the hourly figure assumes one full-time job, 2,080 hours a year.
| Size | A month | A year | Income needed | Hourly wage needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,179 | $38,148 | $127,160 | $61.13/hr |
| 1 bedroom | $3,298 | $39,576 | $131,920 | $63.42/hr |
| 2 bedroomsMost searched | $4,214 | $50,568 | $168,560 | $81.04/hr |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,377 | $64,524 | $215,080 | $103.40/hr |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,659 | $67,908 | $226,360 | $108.83/hr |
Cost of living in Santa Cruz County, CA: income, prices and a budget →
Living and working in Santa Cruz County, CA
Rent in Santa Cruz County, CA: common questions
How much is rent going up in Santa Cruz County, CA in 2027?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for fiscal 2027, which takes effect October 1, 2026, is $4,254 for a two-bedroom, up 0.9% from $4,214. A one-bedroom goes from $3,298 to $3,390, a studio from $3,179 to $3,230.
These are HUD's estimates of what a typical recently rented unit costs, used for housing vouchers. A landlord's increase on your lease follows your lease and your state's rules, not this figure.
What is the average rent in Santa Cruz County, CA?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026 is $3,298 for a one-bedroom and $4,214 for a two-bedroom, utilities included. That is $50,568 a year for the two-bedroom.
It is not an average of current listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so asking rents on newer places usually run higher.
How much do you need to make to afford rent in Santa Cruz County, CA?
To keep a $4,214 two-bedroom at 30% of gross pay, one full-time worker needs $81.04 an hour, or $168,560 a year. A one-bedroom at $3,298 takes $63.42 an hour.
How much is a 1, 2 or 3-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz County, CA?
At HUD's 2026 Fair Market Rent: studio $3,179, one bedroom $3,298, two $4,214, three $5,377 and four $5,659 a month.
Is rent affordable in Santa Cruz County, CA?
For the typical household, earning $111,093 a year ($9,258 a month, Census ACS), a two-bedroom at $4,214 takes 45.5% of income. Under 30% is the usual line for affordable; this is over it.
How is the income needed for rent worked out?
Rent for a year divided by 0.30, the share of gross income HUD treats as affordable: ($4,214 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $168,560. Divided by 2,080 working hours, that is $81.04 an hour.