Rental Benchmark Overview
2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent
$4,214$50,568 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026Fair market rent & 30% rule in Santa Cruz County, CA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Santa Cruz County, CA
Calculations assume standard housing affordability guidelines where shelter costs consume no more than 30% of gross income, based on full-time employment of 2,080 annual working hours.
| Bedroom Type | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | Min. Annual Income | Hourly Wage (40h/wk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $3,179 | $38,148 | $127,160 | $61.13/hr |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $3,298 | $39,576 | $131,920 | $63.42/hr |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark | $4,214 | $50,568 | $168,560 | $81.04/hr |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $5,377 | $64,524 | $215,080 | $103.40/hr |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $5,659 | $67,908 | $226,360 | $108.83/hr |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Santa Cruz County, CA
What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Santa Cruz County, CA?
For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Santa Cruz County, CA is $4,214 per month ($50,568 per year).
What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Santa Cruz County, CA?
To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $4,214/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $81.04 per hour ($168,560/year).
What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Santa Cruz County, CA?
Official 2026 HUD rents in Santa Cruz County, CA are: Studio: $3,179/mo, 1-Bedroom: $3,298/mo, 2-Bedroom: $4,214/mo, 3-Bedroom: $5,377/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $5,659/mo.
How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Santa Cruz County, CA?
At the local Census ACS median household income of $111,093/year ($9,258/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 45.5% of monthly income.
How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Santa Cruz County, CA?
The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $4,214/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($4,214 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $168,560 per year.