Here's what it costs to live in Santa Cruz, California, based on the latest US government data. Renters pay a median of $2,452 per month, while the typical home is valued around $1,209,000. Households earn a median of $115,475 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$115,475
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$2,452
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$1,209,000
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
N/A
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$3,179
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$3,298
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$4,214
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$5,377
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | N/A |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | N/A |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | N/A |
| ⚡Electrician | N/A |
| 📊Accountant | N/A |
| 🔧Plumber | N/A |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | N/A |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | N/A |
| 👔Operations Manager | N/A |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | N/A |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | N/A |
| 🚛Truck Driver | N/A |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | N/A |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
61,607
Latest estimate
Median Age
31.1 yrs
Census ACS
🌬️
AQI data not available
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
N/A
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$2,441
Per month
Avg Home Value
$1,141,850
Census ACS
January Avg
54°F
July Avg
64°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Dry/Arid · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
32.3
poor
Hospitals
3
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
96.2%
What is the cost of living index for Santa Cruz?
The cost of living index for Santa Cruz is not yet available in our database.
What is the median rent in Santa Cruz?
The median gross rent in Santa Cruz is $2,452 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Santa Cruz?
The median household income in Santa Cruz is $115,475 per year.
What is the median home value in Santa Cruz?
The median home value in Santa Cruz is $1,209,000 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Santa Cruz?
Air quality data for Santa Cruz is not yet available.
What are the taxes like in Santa Cruz?
Tax data for California is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
