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City Report · CA

Soquel

Pop. 10,679·52nd most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,863/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+7.4%
vs US Median
+$1,898
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Soquel · $3,863
More expensive than 97% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
39% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,863/mo, rent takes about 39% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$155,000/yr
Local median income
$118,777/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Soquel's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$3,190
1 BR
$3,360
2 BR
$4,410
3 BR
$5,490
4 BR+
$5,850
Research median
$4,410/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$46,356/yr
At $3,863/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +7.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Soquel, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 48% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
10,679
Median income
$118,777
Median age
42.7
Renters
27.3%
Age distribution
20.3%
19.3%
24.9%
12.7%
22.7%
Under 1820.3%
18–3419.3%
35–5424.9%
55–6412.7%
65+22.7%
Gender
48.4%
51.6%
Male48.4%
Female51.6%
Race & ethnicity
80.2%
19.6%
White80.2%
Black0.5%
Hispanic19.6%
Asian3.4%
Education (25+)
18.5%
30.1%
48%
No HS diploma3.4%
HS diploma18.5%
Some college30.1%
Bachelor's+48%
Housing tenure
72.7%
27.3%
Owner72.7%
Renter27.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Soquel, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$107,114 → $118,777
up 10.9%
Population
10,806 → 10,679
down 1.2%
Renter share
26.5% → 27.3%
+0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
41% → 48%
+7.0 pts
Median age
41.6 → 42.7
+1.1 yrs

Median household income climbed from $107,114 to $118,777 between 2021 and 2024, a 10.9% shift. Census counts show Soquel, CA losing about 127 residents over the five-year window, down 1.2% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 41% to 48% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Soquel

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View Soquel rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Soquel on your salary?

At $3,863/mo, how Soquel rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Soquel rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Soquel. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Soquel

About renting in Soquel, CA

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Soquel is $3,863/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $3,190/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $4,410/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,360/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $5,490/mo.

At 39% of local median household income ($118,777/yr), Soquel ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Soquel an affordable city for renters?

Soquel is considered moderate for renters. At $3,863/mo, rent takes approximately 39% of the local median household income ($118,777/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Soquel slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Soquel?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $155,000/year (~$75/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,863/mo in Soquel. The local median household income is $118,777/yr, meaning the typical Soquel household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Soquel?

Rent in Soquel has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of June 2026.

How does Soquel rent compare to other cities in California?

Soquel is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #52 out of 384 tracked cities at $3,863/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Soquel?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Soquel ($3,863/mo): Capitola ($3,418/mo), Santa Cruz ($3,649/mo).

What percentage of Soquel residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 27.3% of Soquel households are renters, while 72.7% are owner-occupied. Soquel leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Soquel rent compare to the national average?

Soquel's median rent of $3,863/mo is $1,898 (97%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #52 out of 384 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
39%
MODERATE

At $3,863/mo, rent takes ~39% of Soquel's median household income ($118,777/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Soquel 39%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Soquel affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Soquel
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Soquel, CA

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