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City Report · CA

Boulder Creek

Pop. 4,632·203rd most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,750/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-8.3%
vs US Median
+$785
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Boulder Creek · $2,750
More expensive than 86% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
39% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,750/mo, rent takes about 39% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$110,000/yr
Local median income
$84,156/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Boulder Creek's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,950
1 BR
$2,061
2 BR
$2,698
3 BR
$3,361
4 BR+
$3,582
Research median
$2,698/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$33,000/yr
At $2,750/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -8.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Boulder Creek, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 40.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
4,632
Median income
$84,156
Median age
47.9
Renters
23.5%
Age distribution
17.8%
29.5%
12.1%
29.9%
Under 1810.7%
18–3417.8%
35–5429.5%
55–6412.1%
65+29.9%
Gender
49.6%
50.4%
Male49.6%
Female50.4%
Race & ethnicity
83.1%
White83.1%
Black0.8%
Hispanic8.8%
Asian1.7%
Other5.5%
Education (25+)
16.2%
39.9%
40.2%
No HS diploma3.7%
HS diploma16.2%
Some college39.9%
Bachelor's+40.2%
Housing tenure
76.5%
23.5%
Owner76.5%
Renter23.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Boulder Creek, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$101,207 → $84,156
down 16.8%
Population
5,308 → 4,632
down 12.7%
Renter share
18.3% → 23.5%
+5.2 pts
Bachelor's+
38.4% → 40.2%
+1.8 pts
Median age
46.5 → 47.9
+1.4 yrs

Median household income slipped from $101,207 to $84,156 between 2021 and 2024, a 16.8% shift. The population has contracted by 12.7% since 2021, moving from about 5,308 residents to roughly 4,632. Renters now make up 23.5% of households, compared with 18.3% five years ago.

Community

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View Boulder Creek rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Boulder Creek on your salary?

At $2,750/mo, how Boulder Creek rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Boulder Creek rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Boulder Creek. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Boulder Creek

About renting in Boulder Creek, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Boulder Creek is $2,750/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,950/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,698/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,061/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,361/mo.

At 39% of local median household income ($84,156/yr), Boulder Creek ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Boulder Creek an affordable city for renters?

Boulder Creek is considered moderate for renters. At $2,750/mo, rent takes approximately 39% of the local median household income ($84,156/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Boulder Creek slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Boulder Creek?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $110,000/year (~$53/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,750/mo in Boulder Creek. The local median household income is $84,156/yr, meaning the typical Boulder Creek household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Boulder Creek?

Rent in Boulder Creek has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Boulder Creek rent compare to other cities in California?

Boulder Creek is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #203 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,750/mo.

What percentage of Boulder Creek residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 23.5% of Boulder Creek households are renters, while 76.5% are owner-occupied. Boulder Creek leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Boulder Creek rent compare to the national average?

Boulder Creek's median rent of $2,750/mo is $785 (40%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #203 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
39%
MODERATE

At $2,750/mo, rent takes ~39% of Boulder Creek's median household income ($84,156/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Boulder Creek 39%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Boulder Creek affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Boulder Creek, CA

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