4+ Bedroom Apartment Rent in Santa Cruz, CA
Median asking rent for a 4+ bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz, California as of July 2026. That's +77% higher than the citywide median of $3,649 and +156% above the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,520.
Income needed for a 4+ 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 4+ 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 4+ bedroom in California
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,823 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,930 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,980 |
| 4 | Barstow | $2,001 |
| 5 | California City | $2,070 |
| 6 | Florin | $2,076 |
| 7 | Clearlake | $2,100 |
| 8 | Porterville | $2,210 |
| 9 | Oroville | $2,215 |
| 10 | El Centro | $2,220 |
| 11 | Paradise | $2,230 |
| 12 | Red Bluff | $2,230 |
| 13 | La Riviera | $2,250 |
| 14 | Eureka | $2,280 |
| 15 | Florence-Graham | $2,296 |
Most expensive cities for a 4+ bedroom in California
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coronado | $6,970 |
| 2 | Solana Beach | $6,500 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz (this page) | $6,455 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $6,370 |
| 5 | Scotts Valley | $6,270 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $6,270 |
| 7 | Aptos | $6,270 |
| 8 | Newport Beach | $6,188 |
| 9 | Coto de Caza | $6,130 |
| 10 | Foster City | $6,050 |
| 11 | Irvine | $5,986 |
| 12 | Carlsbad | $5,908 |
| 13 | Los Altos | $5,850 |
| 14 | Encinitas | $5,820 |
| 15 | Laguna Beach | $5,770 |
Nearby cities — 4+ bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 4+ bedroom rents than Santa Cruz.
| City | Distance | 4+ Bedroom rent | vs Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotts Valley, CA | 5.3 mi | $6,270 | $-185 (-3%) |
| Capitola, CA | 7.2 mi | $5,690 | $-765 (-12%) |
| Aptos, CA | 12.2 mi | $6,270 | $-185 (-3%) |
| Boulder Creek, CA | 13.3 mi | $3,582 | $-2,873 (-45%) |
| Los Gatos, CA | 16.4 mi | $5,090 | $-1,365 (-21%) |
| Saratoga, CA | 17.7 mi | $5,430 | $-1,025 (-16%) |
| Campbell, CA | 20.2 mi | $4,760 | $-1,695 (-26%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 20.9 mi | $4,960 | $-1,495 (-23%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 21 mi | $6,370 | $-85 (-1%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 25.2 mi | $5,850 | $-605 (-9%) |
| Santa Clara, CA | 25.6 mi | $5,180 | $-1,275 (-20%) |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 26.1 mi | $5,633 | $-822 (-13%) |
4+ Bedroom rent in Santa Cruz — common questions
How much is a 4+ bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz?
As of July 2026, the median 4+ bedroom apartment rent in Santa Cruz, California is $6,455 per month. This is +77% higher than the citywide median of $3,649.
What income do you need to afford a 4+ bedroom in Santa Cruz?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $258,200 ($21,517/month gross), which works out to roughly $124.13/hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Cruz expensive for a 4+ bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Santa Cruz's 4+ bedroom median of $6,455 is +156% above the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,520. It ranks in the 100th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Santa Cruz rank for 4+ bedroom rent in California?
Among the 384 cities in California with 4+ bedroom data, Santa Cruz ranks #382 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 4+ bedroom options near Santa Cruz?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 4+ bedroom rents include Scotts Valley ($6,270), Capitola ($5,690), Aptos ($6,270).