Studio Apartment Rent in Scotts Valley, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Scotts Valley, California as of October 2026. That's +7% lower than the citywide median of $3,686 and +165% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 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 (this page) | $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? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Scotts Valley.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Scotts Valley |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz, CA | 5.3 mi | $2,428 | $-992 (-29%) |
| Soquel, CA | 6.1 mi | $2,024 | $-1,396 (-41%) |
| Capitola, CA | 7.6 mi | $3,100 | $-320 (-9%) |
| Aptos, CA | 10.3 mi | $3,420 | — |
| Los Gatos, CA | 11.2 mi | $2,720 | $-700 (-20%) |
| Boulder Creek, CA | 11.8 mi | $2,208 | $-1,212 (-35%) |
| Saratoga, CA | 13.5 mi | $2,910 | $-510 (-15%) |
| Campbell, CA | 15.1 mi | $2,540 | $-880 (-26%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 17.1 mi | $3,410 | $-10 (0%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 19.7 mi | $2,570 | $-850 (-25%) |
| Santa Clara, CA | 20.7 mi | $2,770 | $-650 (-19%) |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 21.6 mi | $3,010 | $-410 (-12%) |
Studio rent in Scotts Valley — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Scotts Valley?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Scotts Valley, California is $3,420 per month. This is +7% below the citywide median of $3,686.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Scotts Valley?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $136,800 ($11,400/month gross), which works out to roughly $65.77/hour at a full-time job.
Is Scotts Valley expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Scotts Valley's studio median of $3,420 is +165% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 100th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Scotts Valley rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Scotts Valley ranks #377 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Scotts Valley?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Santa Cruz ($2,428), Soquel ($2,024), Capitola ($3,100).