1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Scotts Valley, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Scotts Valley, California as of July 2026. That's +19% lower than the citywide median of $4,436 and +158% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Scotts Valley
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 Scotts Valley
Compare Scotts Valley's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 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 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley (this page) | $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? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Scotts Valley.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Scotts Valley |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz, CA | 5.3 mi | $3,710 | +$110 (+3%) |
| Capitola, CA | 7.6 mi | $3,270 | $-330 (-9%) |
| Aptos, CA | 10.3 mi | $3,600 | — |
| Los Gatos, CA | 11.2 mi | $3,105 | $-495 (-14%) |
| Boulder Creek, CA | 11.8 mi | $2,061 | $-1,539 (-43%) |
| Saratoga, CA | 13.5 mi | $3,270 | $-330 (-9%) |
| Campbell, CA | 15.1 mi | $2,900 | $-700 (-19%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 17.1 mi | $3,880 | +$280 (+8%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 19.7 mi | $2,780 | $-820 (-23%) |
| Santa Clara, CA | 20.7 mi | $3,160 | $-440 (-12%) |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 21.6 mi | $3,438 | $-162 (-4%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 21.9 mi | $3,530 | $-70 (-2%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Scotts Valley — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Scotts Valley?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Scotts Valley, California is $3,600 per month. This is +19% below the citywide median of $4,436.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Scotts Valley?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $144,000 ($12,000/month gross), which works out to roughly $69.23/hour at a full-time job.
Is Scotts Valley expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Scotts Valley's 1-bedroom median of $3,600 is +158% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 100th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Scotts Valley rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Scotts Valley ranks #382 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Scotts Valley?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Capitola ($3,270), Los Gatos ($3,105), Boulder Creek ($2,061).