1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Santa Cruz, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz, California as of October 2026. That's +25% lower than the citywide median of $3,418 and +83% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Santa Cruz
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Santa Cruz
Compare Santa Cruz's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $938 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $4,030 |
| 2 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 3 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Santa Cruz.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotts Valley, CA | 5.3 mi | $3,600 | +$1,041 (+41%) |
| Capitola, CA | 7.2 mi | $3,270 | +$711 (+28%) |
| Soquel, CA | 9 mi | $2,132 | $-427 (-17%) |
| Aptos, CA | 12.2 mi | $3,600 | +$1,041 (+41%) |
| Boulder Creek, CA | 13.3 mi | $2,333 | $-226 (-9%) |
| Los Gatos, CA | 16.4 mi | $3,105 | +$546 (+21%) |
| Saratoga, CA | 17.7 mi | $3,270 | +$711 (+28%) |
| Campbell, CA | 20.2 mi | $2,900 | +$341 (+13%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 20.9 mi | $2,780 | +$221 (+9%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 21 mi | $3,880 | +$1,321 (+52%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 25.2 mi | $3,530 | +$971 (+38%) |
| Santa Clara, CA | 25.6 mi | $3,160 | +$601 (+23%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Santa Cruz — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Santa Cruz, California is $2,559 per month. This is +25% below the citywide median of $3,418.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Santa Cruz?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $102,360 ($8,530/month gross), which works out to roughly $49.21/hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Cruz expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Santa Cruz's 1-bedroom median of $2,559 is +83% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Santa Cruz rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Santa Cruz ranks #280 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Santa Cruz?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Soquel ($2,132), Boulder Creek ($2,333).