At $3,459/mo, rent takes about 40% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,459 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Capitola changed +3.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($102,976) is $2,574 a month. That is less than HUD's Fair Market Rent for a studio ($3,100).
Soquel, 5 miles away, rents for 18% less ($2,850/mo), about $7,300 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Capitola. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Capitola, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 47.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Capitola, CA has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $83,726 to $102,976 across the same window, up 23.0% versus 2021. The population has contracted by 3.5% since 2021, moving from about 10,041 residents to roughly 9,689. Renters now make up 47.8% of households, compared with 53.1% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 47.9% of adults here, versus 44.4% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Capitola on your salary?
At $3,459/mo, how Capitola rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Capitola rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Capitola. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Capitola
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Capitola is $3,459/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $3,100/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $4,290/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,270/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $5,340/mo.
At 40% of local median household income ($102,976/yr), Capitola ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Capitola?
Is rent going up or down in Capitola?
How does Capitola rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Capitola?
At $3,459/mo, rent takes ~40% of Capitola's median household income ($102,976/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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