Median Age
36 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 22% of Residents
Under 20
19%
Over 65
18%
Santa Cruz, CA
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$2,724
Population
59,525
Renter Mix
56% Rent
California’s playground for beach lovers and wine connoisseurs.
University of California
•
Santa Cruz
•
Pacific
Welcome to Santa Cruz, where coastal living meets mountain scenery along the shores of Monterey Bay. The Santa Cruz Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to this Northern California community, known for its natural wonders and beach town atmosphere. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a California Historic Landmark, anchors the beachfront with its classic amusement rides and entertainment, while Pacific Avenue features local shops and restaurants. Housing options throughout Santa Cruz include properties in the historic district and near the University of California Santa Cruz campus. The local rental market remains competitive, with average rates of $2,139 for studios, $2,572 for one-bedrooms, and $3,562 for two-bedroom units.
Natural Bridges State Beach showcases the area's stunning coastline and hosts a seasonal monarch butterfly grove. The city's surf spots, including Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point, have helped establish Santa Cruz as a cornerstone of California surf culture. The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf extends into Monterey Bay, offering views of sea lions and harbor seals. The city's surf heritage began in 1885 when three Hawaiian princes introduced surfing to mainland America at the San Lorenzo River mouth. Notable areas include the westside neighborhood near West Cliff Drive and the eastside district along East Cliff Drive, each offering their own access points to beaches and local amenities.
Explore the City
Discover charming local shops and cafes along California Street - Mission Hill.
The Beach and Boardwalk District is named for the popular historic amusement park.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$100,731
Average: $134,045
Education
27,505
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
31,729
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Santa Cruz has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
56%
Non-Renters
44%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
39%
Other Education
61%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $2,248 for a studio, $2,723 for one bedroom, $3,748 for two bedrooms, and $3,571 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Santa Cruz has increased by 1.3% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,723/month
586 Sq Ft
House
$8,919/month
2,137 Sq Ft
Condo
$4,133/month
1,010 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Santa Cruz, CA is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Some Public Transit
Transit
50
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
70
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
453 Students
Public
Grades K-5
453 Students
Public
Grades K-5
481 Students
Public
Grades K-5
481 Students
Public
Grades K-5
394 Students
Pacific Collegiate Charter School
Public
Grades 6-12
536 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
510 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
510 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
409 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
409 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,093 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,093 Students
Pacific Collegiate Charter School
Public
Grades 6-12
536 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
536 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,013 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Moore Creek Preserve
- UCSC Arboretum
- Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Neary Lagoon
- Natural Bridges State Beach
Military Bases
Airports
- Norman Y Mineta San Jose International
- Monterey Regional
Top Apartments in Santa Cruz
Houses for Rent in Santa Cruz
Property Management Companies in Santa Cruz, CA
Greystar
-
3,526
Communities
-
969,575
Units
-
896
Cities
2 Communities in Santa Cruz
Woodmont Real Estate Services
-
65
Communities
-
10,401
Units
-
33
Cities
2 Communities in Santa Cruz
Bozzuto
-
384
Communities
-
118,545
Units
-
156
Cities
1 Community in Santa Cruz
Essex
-
115
Communities
-
39,427
Units
-
60
Cities
1 Community in Santa Cruz
The REMM Group
-
43
Communities
-
5,020
Units
-
31
Cities
1 Community in Santa Cruz
Dinerstein
-
26
Communities
-
7,339
Units
-
21
Cities
1 Community in Santa Cruz
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.