ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 95076

Part of Watsonville, CA

Pop. 82,806·Santa Cruz County·230th most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$3,332/mo

Year-over-Year

-2.1%

Month-over-Month

+1.1%

vs US Median

+$1,400

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 95076 · $3,332

More expensive than 94% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,610

1 BR

$2,710

2 BR

$3,440

3 BR

$4,400

4 BR+

$4,640

Research median

$3,440/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 95076 is 3.8% below its high of $3,464 in October 2025, at $3,332 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of California

Rent in ZIP 95076 changed -2.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.2%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 6 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($91,099) is $2,277 a month. That is less than HUD's Fair Market Rent for a studio ($2,610).

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 95076. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$39,984/yr

At $3,332/mo median

Location

CityWatsonville

StateCA

CountySanta Cruz County

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (-2.1% YoY, +1.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 95076 (Watsonville, CA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 18.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

82,806

Median income

$91,099

Median age

36.4

Renters

43.3%

Age distribution

27%

21.3%

24.7%

15.6%

Under 1827%

18–3421.3%

35–5424.7%

55–6411.4%

65+15.6%

Gender

51.6%

48.4%

Male51.6%

Female48.4%

Race & ethnicity

35%

73%

White35%

Black0.6%

Hispanic73%

Asian2.3%

Education (25+)

28.4%

24.7%

28.4%

18.5%

No HS diploma28.4%

HS diploma24.7%

Some college28.4%

Bachelor's+18.5%

Housing tenure

56.7%

43.3%

Owner56.7%

Renter43.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 95076 in Watsonville, CA has changed in 5 years

Income

$81,318 → $91,099

up 12.0%

Population

85,739 → 82,806

down 3.4%

Renter share

43.3% → 43.3%

+0.0 pts

Bachelor's+

18.1% → 18.5%

+0.4 pts

Median age

34.1 → 36.4

+2.3 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 95076 in Watsonville, CA now reports about $91,099, up from $81,318 in 2021. Census counts show ZIP 95076 in Watsonville, CA losing about 2,933 residents over the five-year window, down 3.4% on net.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 95076

About renting in ZIP 95076

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 95076 covers Watsonville, CA. The median rent here is $3,332/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,710/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,440/mo.

At 44% of local median household income ($91,099/yr), ZIP 95076 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 95076?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $133,000/year (about $64/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,332/mo in ZIP 95076. The local median household income is $91,099/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 95076?

Rent in ZIP 95076 has fallen 2.1% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 3.8% below its high of $3,464 in October 2025.

How does ZIP 95076 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 95076 is one of the pricier among California ZIP codes for rent, ranking #230 of 898 at $3,332/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 95076 changed -2.1%, against a typical +3.2% across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks.