Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$111,093$9,258 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Santa Cruz County, CA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Santa Cruz County, CA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $3,179 | $38,148 | $127,160 | 34.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $3,298 | $39,576 | $131,920 | 35.6% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $4,214 | $50,568 | $168,560 | 45.5% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $5,377 | $64,524 | $215,080 | 58.1% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $5,659 | $67,908 | $226,360 | 61.1% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Santa Cruz County, CA
Based on the local median household income of $111,093/year ($9,258/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in California
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and California state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across California with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Santa Cruz County, CA
What is the median household income in Santa Cruz County, CA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Santa Cruz County, CA is $111,093 per year (approximately $9,258 per month).
What is the average rent in Santa Cruz County, CA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Santa Cruz County, CA are $3,179 for a studio, $3,298 for 1 bedroom, $4,214 for 2 bedrooms, $5,377 for 3 bedrooms, and $5,659 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Santa Cruz County, CA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Santa Cruz County, CA is 109.9 (9.9% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Santa Cruz County, CA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($4,214/month) in Santa Cruz County, CA requires a minimum gross household income of $168,560 per year ($14,047 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Santa Cruz County, CA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $111,093/year ($9,258/month) in Santa Cruz County, CA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $4,629/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,777/month to discretionary spending, and $1,852/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Santa Cruz County, CA?
Residential electricity rates in California average 34.7¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $313 per month.