Studio Apartment Rent in Santa Cruz, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Santa Cruz, California as of October 2026. That's +29% lower than the citywide median of $3,418 and +88% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Taft | $870 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 7 | California City | $940 |
| 8 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 9 | Paradise | $970 |
| 10 | Eureka | $980 |
| 11 | Oroville | $985 |
| 12 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,050 |
| 14 | Anderson | $1,060 |
| 15 | Shafter | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $3,570 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $3,420 |
| 3 | Aptos | $3,420 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $3,410 |
| 5 | Coronado | $3,190 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $3,140 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,130 |
| 8 | Foster City | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 13 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 14 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
| 15 | Saratoga | $2,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Santa Cruz.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotts Valley, CA | 5.3 mi | $3,420 | +$992 (+41%) |
| Capitola, CA | 7.2 mi | $3,100 | +$672 (+28%) |
| Soquel, CA | 9 mi | $2,024 | $-404 (-17%) |
| Aptos, CA | 12.2 mi | $3,420 | +$992 (+41%) |
| Boulder Creek, CA | 13.3 mi | $2,208 | $-220 (-9%) |
| Los Gatos, CA | 16.4 mi | $2,720 | +$292 (+12%) |
| Saratoga, CA | 17.7 mi | $2,910 | +$482 (+20%) |
| Campbell, CA | 20.2 mi | $2,540 | +$112 (+5%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 20.9 mi | $2,570 | +$142 (+6%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 21 mi | $3,410 | +$982 (+40%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 25.2 mi | $3,130 | +$702 (+29%) |
| Santa Clara, CA | 25.6 mi | $2,770 | +$342 (+14%) |
Studio rent in Santa Cruz — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Santa Cruz?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Santa Cruz, California is $2,428 per month. This is +29% below the citywide median of $3,418.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Santa Cruz?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $97,120 ($8,093/month gross), which works out to roughly $46.69/hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Cruz expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Santa Cruz's studio median of $2,428 is +88% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 96th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Santa Cruz rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Santa Cruz ranks #296 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Santa Cruz?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Soquel ($2,024), Boulder Creek ($2,208).