What is the median household income in Scotts Valley, CA?
The median household income in Scotts Valley, CA is $143,750 (±$24,347) a year (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Paying the median gross rent of $2,491 a month would take about $99,600 a year at the common guideline of spending no more than 30% of income on rent.
In Scotts Valley, the median household income went from $108,289 in 2015–2019 to $143,750 in 2020–2024 (+32.7%).
Prices (CPI-U) rose 22.7% over the same years; the change is not measurably different from the rise in prices.
Figures last updated on .
- Median household income
- $143,750 (±$24,347)
- Median renter income
- $98,269 (±$39,570)
- Income to afford median rent
- about $99,600
Income in Scotts Valley against Santa Cruz County, its state and the nation
| Scotts Valley | Santa Cruz County | California | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $143,750 (±$24,347) | $111,093 (±$2,734) | $99,122 (±$310) | $80,734 |
| Median renter household income | $98,269 (±$39,570) | $80,482 (±$3,959) | $71,186 (±$298) | $52,966 |
| Median owner household income | $166,444 (±$24,395) | $139,862 (±$5,323) | $127,456 (±$424) | $100,009 |
| Median gross rent | $2,491 (±$302) | $2,264 (±$51) | $2,036 (±$5) | $1,413 |
In Scotts Valley, median household income is higher than in Santa Cruz County ($111,093).
It is also higher than in California ($99,122).
It is higher than the national figure ($80,734).
In Santa Cruz County, Scotts Valley ranks 7 of 23 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest median household income.
Statewide, it ranks 172 of 1,069.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
How much you need to earn to rent in Scotts Valley
Many landlords and housing programs use 30% of gross income as the most a household should spend on rent.
At that guideline, the median gross rent of $2,491 a month ($29,892 a year) needs an income of about $99,600 a year.
The median renting household in Scotts Valley earns $98,269 a year, less than that.
This is arithmetic on the published medians, not a rule any landlord must follow; screening criteria vary and some places limit how income may be weighed.
Income against housing costs since 2015–2019
| 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Amount of change | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $108,289 (±$9,052) | $143,750 (±$24,347) | +32.7% | No measurable change after inflation |
| Median gross rent | $1,975 (±$472) | $2,491 (±$302) | +26.1% | No measurable change after inflation |
| Median home value | $815,600 (±$43,526) | $1,105,700 (±$56,090) | +35.6% | Up after inflation |
The Census Bureau publishes 2015–2019 dollars in 2019 dollars and 2020–2024 dollars in 2024 dollars.
Prices (the CPI-U, US Bureau of Labor Statistics) rose 22.7% between 2019 and 2024, so a dollar figure’s verdict compares the two after raising the earlier one by that much, using the Census Bureau’s test for a difference.
The two periods do not overlap, as the Census Bureau recommends for 5-year estimates.
Median household income in places near Scotts Valley
| Place | Distance | Median household income | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotts Valley | — | $143,750 (±$24,347) | — |
| Felton | 4.0 mi | $123,056 (±$14,247) | Not measurably different |
| Ben Lomond | 4.5 mi | $130,041 (±$13,062) | Not measurably different |
| Live Oak (community) | 5.1 mi | $103,674 (±$9,788) | Lower |
| Soquel | 5.3 mi | $118,777 (±$4,243) | Lower |
| Santa Cruz | 5.8 mi | $115,475 (±$6,419) | Lower |
| Capitola | 6.3 mi | $102,976 (±$14,547) | Lower |
| Brookdale | 6.5 mi | $87,358 (±$9,902) | Lower |
| Twin Lakes | 6.6 mi | $90,087 (±$7,591) | Lower |
Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Live Oak (community), CA ($103,674), Soquel, CA ($118,777), Santa Cruz, CA ($115,475).
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Median household income across Santa Cruz County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corralitos | $171,113 (±$36,445) |
| 2 | La Selva Beach | $160,833 (±$41,150) |
| 3 | Rio del Mar | $159,929 (±$26,135) |
| 4 | Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley | $158,788 (±$1,704) |
| 5 | Day Valley | $155,000 (±$19,036) |
| 6 | Bonny Doon | $144,813 (±$41,772) |
| 7 | Scotts Valley | $143,750 (±$24,347) |
| 8 | Aptos | $134,048 (±$16,517) |
| 9 | Seacliff | $130,385 (±$22,672) |
| 10 | Ben Lomond | $130,041 (±$13,062) |
| 11 | Felton | $123,056 (±$14,247) |
| 12 | Pleasure Point | $119,821 (±$22,764) |
| 13 | Soquel | $118,777 (±$4,243) |
Showing 13 of 23 places in Santa Cruz County, ranked from highest to lowest.
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates), compared with 2015–2019.
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
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Questions about Scotts Valley
What is the median household income in Scotts Valley?
The median household income in Scotts Valley is $143,750 (±$24,347) a year (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
How much do you need to make to afford rent in Scotts Valley?
About $99,600 a year, if rent is to stay at or below 30% of income at the median gross rent of $2,491 a month.
Have incomes in Scotts Valley kept up with inflation?
In Scotts Valley, the median household income went from $108,289 in 2015–2019 to $143,750 in 2020–2024 (+32.7%).
Prices (CPI-U) rose 22.7% over the same years; the change is not measurably different from the rise in prices.
What do renters earn in Scotts Valley?
The median renting household in Scotts Valley, CA earns $98,269 (±$39,570) a year.
Sources
- Selected Economic Characteristics (DP03), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Scotts Valley city, California
- Median Household Income by Tenure (B25119), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Scotts Valley city, California
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Scotts Valley city, California
- Median Household Income (B19013), 2015–2019 ACS 5-year estimates — Scotts Valley city, California
- Median Gross Rent (B25064), 2015–2019 ACS 5-year estimates — Scotts Valley city, California
- Median Value (B25077), 2015–2019 ACS 5-year estimates — Scotts Valley city, California
- Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), US city average, all items, US Bureau of Labor Statistics: annual averages 2019 and 2024
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 Scotts Valley city, California (place:70588, in state:06).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The 2015–2019 figures are B19013_001E, B19013_001M, B25064_001E, B25064_001M, B25077_001E, B25077_001M from the 2019 release.
The API needs a free key.
DP03_0062E, DP03_0062M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M, B25119_002E, B25119_002M, DP04_0134E, DP04_0134M
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 .
Related
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- Median rent in Scotts Valley
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- Rent burden in Scotts Valley
- Renters and owners in Scotts Valley
- Home values in Scotts Valley
- Homeowner costs in Scotts Valley
- Property taxes in Scotts Valley
- Types of homes in Scotts Valley
- Bedrooms in Scotts Valley
- Age of homes in Scotts Valley
- Vacancy rate in Scotts Valley
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- Crime reported to police in Scotts Valley
- Population growth in Scotts Valley
- How long people stay in Scotts Valley
- Crowding and facilities in Scotts Valley
- California landlord and tenant rules
- Housing across Santa Cruz County
- California places ranked by median household income
- Housing data for every place in California