How many renters in Santa Cruz, CA pay more than 30% of their income on rent?
54.0% (±4.7 points) of renting households in Santa Cruz, CA spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
46.0% spend 35% or more.
The median renting household spends 32.5% of its income on rent.
Figures last updated on .
- Paying 30% or more
- 54.0% (±4.7 points)
- Paying 35% or more
- 46.0% (±4.1 points)
- Median share of income
- 32.5% (±2.5 points)
Rent as a share of income in Santa Cruz
| Share of income spent on rent | Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz County | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 15% | 12.5% (±3.3 points) | 12.1% | 10.4% | 12.6% |
| 15% to 19.9% | 10.6% (±3.1 points) | 11.0% | 11.1% | 12.2% |
| 20% to 24.9% | 10.0% (±2.2 points) | 11.7% | 12.0% | 12.6% |
| 25% to 29.9% | 13.0% (±2.9 points) | 13.4% | 11.2% | 11.5% |
| 30% to 34.9% | 8.0% (±2.3 points) | 8.0% | 9.3% | 9.2% |
| 35% or more | 46.0% (±4.1 points) | 43.7% | 46.0% | 41.9% |
Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.
Santa Cruz against Santa Cruz County, its state and the nation
| Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz County | California | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paying 30% or more | 54.0% (±4.7 points) | 51.7% (±2.5 points) | 55.3% (±0.2 points) | 51.1% |
| Paying 35% or more | 46.0% (±4.1 points) | 43.7% (±2.2 points) | 46.0% (±0.2 points) | 41.9% |
| Median share of income | 32.5% (±2.5 points) | 31.1% (±1.4 points) | 32.8% (±0.2 points) | 30.6% |
| Median renter household income | $77,316 (±$8,183) | $80,482 (±$3,959) | $71,186 (±$298) | $52,966 |
| Median gross rent | $2,452 (±$128) | $2,264 (±$51) | $2,036 (±$5) | $1,413 |
In Santa Cruz, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is not measurably different from Santa Cruz County (51.7%).
It is not measurably different from California (55.3%).
It is not measurably different from the national figure (51.1%).
In Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz ranks 9 of 23 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.
Statewide, it ranks 582 of 1,067.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Santa Cruz
| Place | Distance | Renters paying 30% or more of income | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz | — | 54.0% (±4.7 points) | — |
| Twin Lakes | 2.6 mi | 52.1% (±8.9 points) | Not measurably different |
| Live Oak (community) | 3.1 mi | 54.8% (±9.5 points) | Not measurably different |
| Pleasure Point | 3.7 mi | 37.5% (±12.3 points) | Lower |
| Capitola | 4.5 mi | 41.7% (±9.4 points) | Lower |
| Soquel | 5.1 mi | 49.5% (±13.7 points) | Not measurably different |
| Felton | 5.1 mi | 47.3% (±23.2 points) | Not measurably different |
| Scotts Valley | 5.8 mi | 50.1% (±16.4 points) | Not measurably different |
| Seacliff | 6.4 mi | 50.2% (±17.8 points) | Not measurably different |
Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Pleasure Point, CA (37.5%), Capitola, CA (41.7%).
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Renters paying 30% or more of income across Santa Cruz County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Renters paying 30% or more of income |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Ben Lomond | 63.9% (±27.8 points) |
| 4 | Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley | 62.7% (±43.4 points) |
| 5 | Interlaken | 59.8% (±18.2 points) |
| 6 | Brookdale | 55.3% (±43.6 points) |
| 7 | Watsonville | 55.2% (±5.0 points) |
| 8 | Live Oak (community) | 54.8% (±9.5 points) |
| 9 | Santa Cruz | 54.0% (±4.7 points) |
| 10 | Twin Lakes | 52.1% (±8.9 points) |
| 11 | Rio del Mar | 50.8% (±12.4 points) |
| 12 | Seacliff | 50.2% (±17.8 points) |
| 13 | Scotts Valley | 50.1% (±16.4 points) |
| 14 | Soquel | 49.5% (±13.7 points) |
| 15 | Felton | 47.3% (±23.2 points) |
Showing 13 of 23 places in Santa Cruz County, ranked from highest to lowest.
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
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Questions about Santa Cruz
Are renters in Santa Cruz rent-burdened?
54.0% of renting households in Santa Cruz pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
What share of income do renters in Santa Cruz spend on rent?
The median renting household in Santa Cruz, CA spends 32.5% (±2.5 points) of its household income on gross rent.
Sources
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Santa Cruz city, California
- Median Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (B25071), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Santa Cruz city, California
- Median Household Income by Tenure (B25119), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Santa Cruz city, California
To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Santa Cruz city, California (place:69112, in state:06).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The API needs a free key.
DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .
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