Cost of Living Analytics

Cost of Living / Santa Cruz–Watsonville, CA Metro

Cost of Living in Santa Cruz–Watsonville, CA Metro

Official metro name: Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Metro Area

Santa Cruz–Watsonville, CA Metro has a population of 268,571. Median household income is $104,409 and median rent is $2,094 per month. Rent is roughly 24.1% of median monthly income.

State: CAPopulation: 268,571Income: $104,409Rent: $2,094Affordability: Affordable (24.1%)
Median Household Income
$104,409
Annual (ACS median)
Median Rent
$2,094
Monthly (ACS median gross rent)
Rent as % of Income
24.1%
rent ÷ (income/12)
Cost Index
139
Simplified relative index

Is Santa Cruz–Watsonville, CA Metro expensive?

Based on median rent and income, Santa Cruz–Watsonville, CA Metro has a Affordable rent burden. Median rent is $2,094, which is about 24.1% of median monthly household income.

Average rent in Santa Cruz–Watsonville, CA Metro

Median rent (ACS) is $2,094 per month. (Neighborhoods vary widely.)

How much income do you need in Santa Cruz–Watsonville, CA Metro?

Median household income (ACS) is $104,409 per year. Housing costs take a bigger share of income when rent burden is high.

Other metros in CA

Compare Santa Cruz–Watsonville, CA Metro with nearby metros:

Data sources

  • US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
  • Affordability metric: median rent ÷ (median household income / 12).
  • Figures are metro-level medians; local variation is expected.