Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Santa Cruz

Affordability in Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz has a median asking rent of $2,452 per month and a median household income of $115,475, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (2024). With 52% of residents renting, demand for affordable housing options in the city is significant.

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Santa Cruz Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 623 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Crime rates are not comparable across cities due to differences in reporting practices and local definitions.

Getting Around Santa Cruz

According to Walk Score, the area around assisted properties in Santa Cruz rates 74 (Very Walkable), 42 for Transit (Some Transit), and 99 for Biking.

• Walk Score: 74 - Very Walkable
• Transit Score: 42 - Some Transit
• Bike Score: 99

Scores reflect the area around the assisted properties listed on this page, not the city as a whole, and are provided by Walk Score.

Schools

According to NCES Common Core of Data, 28 schools across 10 districts serve Santa Cruz, including 14 elementary, 3 middle, 10 high schools, and 1 other. Ratings vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address.

Cost of Renting in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is one of California's most expensive rental markets. The median gross rent in the city is $2,452 per month, and the median household income is $115,475 per year, according to the Census ACS 5-Year estimate. Affordable and income-based housing can make a significant difference for renters here.

HUD-assisted and income-based apartments set rents based on a percentage of your household income rather than market rates, which means your actual rent could be well below the citywide median.

• Median market rent: $2,452/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Median household income: $115,475/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Renter households: 52% of occupied units are renter-occupied (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Affordable units tracked on Lease Lantern: 873 units across 14 properties in Santa Cruz

Environmental Exposure

Of the 14 affordable properties mapped in Santa Cruz, 3 are located in high-risk flood zones. Renters considering those properties may want to ask about flood insurance requirements and building-level flood mitigation.