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Santa Cruz, CA
Full City Profile · California · Santa Cruz County County
2.9
/5.0
C+
Fair
60,953
Population
4,784/sq mi density
$111,427
Median Income
$54,688 per capita
$1,180,100
Home Value
$1,313,461 Zillow
$2,302
Median Rent
32.6% income on rent
59°F
Avg Temperature
317 sunny days/yr
596
Violent Crime/100K
4,493 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$111,427 median income, 3.9% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$1,180,100 home value, $2,302/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
596 violent crimes/100K (57% above avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
57.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Housing Overview
Median Home Value
$1,180,100
319% above
US avg: $281,900
Median Rent
$2,302/mo
98% above
US avg: $1,163/mo
Homeownership Rate
47.7%
27% below US avg (65.4%)
Total Housing Units
23,749
Median year built: 1970
Home Value by Source
Census Median
$1,180,100
Zillow (ZHVI)
$1,313,461
Median Sale Price
$1,320,000
Median List Price
$1,345,000
Census ACS, Zillow ZHVI, Redfin median sale price
Ownership vs. Renting
47.7%
Owner-Occupied
52.3%
Renter-Occupied
US avg: 65.4% owner-occupied
Fair Market Rents (HUD FY2026)
Studio
$3,179/mo
1 Bedroom
$3,298/mo
2 Bedroom
$4,214/mo
3 Bedroom
$5,377/mo
4 Bedroom
$5,659/mo
Census median rent:
$2,302/mo
· Zillow rent:
$3,422/mo
Market Indicators (Redfin)
Median Days on Market
19 days
Sale-to-List Ratio
1.0%
Buyers market
Homes Sold
28
Price Drops
27.0%
of listings with price reduction
Price Per Sq Ft
$918
Active Inventory
37
homes for sale
Affordability & Housing Stock
Rent Burden
32.6%
of renters spending 30%+ of income on housing
5% above US avg (31.0%)
Median Year Built
1970
Average age of housing stock: 56 years
Homeownership Rate
47.7%
Complete Housing Data
Home Values
| Census Median Value | $1,180,100 |
| Zillow Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,313,461 |
| Median Sale Price | $1,320,000 |
| Median List Price | $1,345,000 |
| Price Per Sq Ft | $918 |
Rent
| Census Median Rent | $2,302 |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $3,422 |
| FMR Studio | $3,179 |
| FMR 1-Bedroom | $3,298 |
| FMR 2-Bedroom | $4,214 |
| FMR 3-Bedroom | $5,377 |
| FMR 4-Bedroom | $5,659 |
Market
| Days on Market | 19 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 1.0% |
| Price Drops | 27.0% |
| Homes Sold | 28 |
| Active Inventory | 37 |
| Price Per Sq Ft | $918 |
Ownership & Stock
| Owner-Occupied | 47.7% |
| Renter-Occupied | 52.3% |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.7% |
| Total Housing Units | 23,749 |
| Median Year Built | 1970 |
| Rent Burden | 32.6% |