3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Santa Cruz, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz, California as of October 2026. That's +22% higher than the citywide median of $3,418 and +96% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,579 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 4 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 5 | California City | $1,720 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,820 |
| 9 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 10 | Paradise | $1,860 |
| 11 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 12 | Isla Vista | $1,904 |
| 13 | Eureka | $1,910 |
| 14 | Porterville | $1,910 |
| 15 | Fortuna | $1,920 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $6,010 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $5,870 |
| 3 | Aptos | $5,870 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $5,850 |
| 5 | Coronado | $5,720 |
| 6 | Foster City | $5,690 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $5,380 |
| 8 | Capitola | $5,340 |
| 9 | Solana Beach | $5,330 |
| 10 | Tiburon | $5,250 |
| 11 | Ladera Ranch | $5,250 |
| 12 | Newport Beach | $5,178 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $5,173 |
| 14 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
| 15 | Santa Barbara | $5,050 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Santa Cruz.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotts Valley, CA | 5.3 mi | $5,870 | +$1,694 (+41%) |
| Capitola, CA | 7.2 mi | $5,340 | +$1,164 (+28%) |
| Soquel, CA | 9 mi | $3,483 | $-693 (-17%) |
| Aptos, CA | 12.2 mi | $5,870 | +$1,694 (+41%) |
| Boulder Creek, CA | 13.3 mi | $3,804 | $-372 (-9%) |
| Los Gatos, CA | 16.4 mi | $4,670 | +$494 (+12%) |
| Saratoga, CA | 17.7 mi | $5,000 | +$824 (+20%) |
| Campbell, CA | 20.2 mi | $4,360 | +$184 (+4%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 20.9 mi | $4,500 | +$324 (+8%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 21 mi | $5,850 | +$1,674 (+40%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 25.2 mi | $5,380 | +$1,204 (+29%) |
| Santa Clara, CA | 25.6 mi | $4,757 | +$581 (+14%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Santa Cruz — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Santa Cruz, California is $4,176 per month. This is +22% higher than the citywide median of $3,418.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Santa Cruz?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $167,040 ($13,920/month gross), which works out to roughly $80.31/hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Cruz expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Santa Cruz's 3-bedroom median of $4,176 is +96% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Santa Cruz rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Santa Cruz ranks #291 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Santa Cruz?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Soquel ($3,483), Boulder Creek ($3,804).