ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 95003

Part of Aptos, CA

Pop. 24,951·Santa Cruz County·76th most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$4,226/mo

Year-over-Year

+10.0%

Month-over-Month

+0.2%

vs US Median

+$2,294

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 95003 · $4,226

More expensive than 98% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$3,630

1 BR

$3,760

2 BR

$4,810

3 BR

$6,140

4 BR+

$6,460

Research median

$4,810/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 95003 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in April 2023.

Past year vs. the rest of California

Rent in ZIP 95003 changed +10.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.2%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 6 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($148,412) is $3,710 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a studio ($3,630); a 1-bedroom is $3,760.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 95073, 4 miles away, rents for 33% less ($2,850/mo), about $16,500 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 95003. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$50,712/yr

At $4,226/mo median

Location

CityAptos

StateCA

CountySanta Cruz County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 10.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+10.0% YoY, +0.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 95003 (Aptos, CA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 56.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

24,951

Median income

$148,412

Median age

48.4

Renters

29.4%

Age distribution

16.9%

19.3%

22.8%

16%

24.9%

Under 1816.9%

18–3419.3%

35–5422.8%

55–6416%

65+24.9%

Gender

48.6%

51.4%

Male48.6%

Female51.4%

Race & ethnicity

78.8%

14.6%

White78.8%

Hispanic14.6%

Asian3.1%

Other3.3%

Education (25+)

32%

56.1%

No HS diploma3.1%

HS diploma8.9%

Some college32%

Bachelor's+56.1%

Housing tenure

70.6%

29.4%

Owner70.6%

Renter29.4%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 95003 in Aptos, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$3,425 → $4,226

up 23.4%

Income

$128,833 → $148,412

up 15.2%

Population

25,244 → 24,951

down 1.2%

Renter share

23.8% → 29.4%

+5.6 pts

Bachelor's+

54.3% → 56.1%

+1.8 pts

Five years ago, renters in ZIP 95003 in Aptos, CA paid around $3,425 a month. That figure now sits near $4,226, up 23.4% from the 2023 baseline. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 95003 in Aptos, CA now reports about $148,412, up from $128,833 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show ZIP 95003 in Aptos, CA losing about 293 residents over the five-year window, down 1.2% on net. The renter share has risen from 23.8% to 29.4%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 95003 in Aptos, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

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About renting in ZIP 95003

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 95003 covers Aptos, CA. The median rent here is $4,226/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $3,760/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $4,810/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($148,412/yr), ZIP 95003 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 95003?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $169,000/year (about $81/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $4,226/mo in ZIP 95003. The local median household income is $148,412/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 95003?

Rent in ZIP 95003 has risen 10.0% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in April 2023.

How does ZIP 95003 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 95003 is one of the pricier among California ZIP codes for rent, ranking #76 of 898 at $4,226/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 95003 changed +10.0%, against a typical +3.2% across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks.