1st Advantage MortgageSanta Cruz County (264,926 residents) has a $111,093 median household income and $2,264 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Santa Cruz County by the numbers
- The Santa Cruz County job picture
- How Santa Cruz County ranks in California
- How much Santa Cruz County households make
- Santa Cruz County housing compared with California
- Santa Cruz County communities by population
- Santa Cruz County next to its neighbors
- What the numbers mean for Santa Cruz County borrowers
- Santa Cruz County demographics against California
- What a median Santa Cruz County budget can carry
- Lender oversight for Santa Cruz County
- Four steps for Santa Cruz County borrowers
- Beyond Santa Cruz County
- Frequently asked questions
Santa Cruz County by the numbers
Roughly 264,926 residents live in Santa Cruz County, California, 25th by population among the state's 58 counties and county equivalents. Santa Cruz County spans 445 square miles; with 264,926 people, that is 595.2 per square mile. Metro area: Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA (OMB, 2023). Largest place: Santa Cruz, about 61,607 residents (23% of Santa Cruz County); 30 Census places in all.
The Santa Cruz County job picture
Education and health care employs 26% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 14%. Relative to California (22%), education and health care is 4 points bigger in Santa Cruz County (26%). 6.1% of Santa Cruz County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 19%; under 15 minutes: 30%.
| Top industries | Santa Cruz County share | +/- vs California |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.6% | +3.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 14.0% | -0.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.0% | +0.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.9% | -0.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.0% | -0.9 pts |
| Construction | 6.9% | +0.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Santa Cruz County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
How Santa Cruz County ranks in California
Where Santa Cruz County lands at the extremes of California's county rankings:
- Median home value: $1,027,500 in Santa Cruz County. Only 5 of 58 California counties are higher. Owners with equity have more options, including secured credit, but that puts the house at risk.
- Santa Cruz County ranks 9th highest of 58 California counties for the share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 44%, against 37% statewide. More graduates often means more student debt to factor in.
- Santa Cruz County ranks 9th highest of 56 California counties for median gross rent: $2,264/mo, against $2,036/mo statewide. Rent this high leaves less room in a debt-to-income test.
- On the share of workers who work from home, Santa Cruz County sits near the top of California at 19.3%, 11th highest of 58. Remote workers should have W-2s or contracts ready to show income.
How much Santa Cruz County households make
Median household income in Santa Cruz County: $111,093 (12% above California, $99,122).
| Yearly household income | Santa Cruz County | Gap to California |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 16.0% | -1.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 29.7% | -3.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.4% | +0.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 25.0% | +4.5 pts |
Some 16% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 54% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 11.6%, the same as the state's 12.0%. A household earning below the $111,093 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Santa Cruz County housing compared with California
Santa Cruz County rent at the median: $2,264 a month, utilities in ($2,036 in California). About 5 in 10 Santa Cruz County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Home values center on $1,027,500, or 9.2 years of median income. In Santa Cruz County, 60% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Median construction year: 1974.
| Home costs | Santa Cruz County | California | Compared with California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 60% | 56% | +4.1 pts |
| Median home value | $1,027,500 | $734,700 | 40% higher |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 55% | -3.6 pts |
| Vacant units | 9% | 7% | +1.9 pts |
| Median gross rent | $2,264/mo | $2,036/mo | 11% higher |
| Burdened owners | 38% | 38% | +0.2 pts |
52% of Santa Cruz County renters are already past the 30% line; one more payment should leave room for a late paycheck.
Santa Cruz County communities by population
239,920 of Santa Cruz County's 264,926 residents live in its 30 Census places (91%); the 14 largest are listed. Pasatiempo has the highest median household income on the list ($215,469) and Watsonville the lowest ($78,393), counting places with at least 500 residents. This guide covers each of the 30 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz | city | 61,607 | $115,475 | $2,452 | 3 mi |
| Watsonville | city | 51,712 | $78,393 | $1,889 | 14 mi |
| Live Oak | CDP | 16,911 | $103,674 | $2,421 | 2 mi |
| Scotts Valley | city | 12,044 | $143,750 | $2,491 | 3 mi |
| Soquel | CDP | 10,679 | $118,777 | $2,266 | 3 mi |
| Capitola | city | 9,689 | $102,976 | $2,512 | 4 mi |
| Rio del Mar | CDP | 9,201 | $159,929 | $3,407 | 8 mi |
| Interlaken | CDP | 8,068 | $109,150 | $1,941 | 16 mi |
| Ben Lomond | CDP | 6,858 | $130,041 | $2,514 | 6 mi |
| Aptos | CDP | 6,404 | $134,048 | $2,059 | 6 mi |
| Pleasure Point | CDP | 5,489 | $119,821 | $2,705 | 4 mi |
| Twin Lakes | CDP | 5,073 | $90,087 | $2,344 | 4 mi |
| Boulder Creek | CDP | 4,632 | $84,156 | $1,907 | 11 mi |
| Felton | CDP | 4,093 | $123,056 | $2,068 | 4 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Santa Cruz County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (23 to 66 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Santa Cruz County; Santa Clara County is highest at $164,281 and Monterey County lowest at $97,230.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz County | - | $111,093 | $2,264/mo | 60% |
| Santa Clara County, CA | 23 mi | $164,281 | $2,857/mo | 55% |
| San Mateo County, CA | 34 mi | $158,855 | $2,922/mo | 58% |
| Alameda County, CA | 44 mi | $129,367 | $2,357/mo | 54% |
| San Benito County, CA | 58 mi | $114,394 | $1,992/mo | 68% |
| Contra Costa County, CA | 63 mi | $127,229 | $2,375/mo | 68% |
| Monterey County, CA | 66 mi | $97,230 | $2,055/mo | 52% |
What the numbers mean for Santa Cruz County borrowers
Based on the Santa Cruz County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- 19% long commutes. A Santa Cruz County repair bill is often urgent; compare the shop's financing with a loan in writing.
- Consolidation math. With 54% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- Rent squeeze. 52% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Santa Cruz County demographics against California
In Santa Cruz County, 44% of adults have at least a four-year degree (37% in California). Uninsured, Santa Cruz County: 4.9%; California: 6.6%.
| Indicator | Santa Cruz County | +/- California | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 43.9% | +6.9 pts | +21.8 pts |
| No high school diploma | 11.4% | -3.9 pts | n/a |
| Work from home | 19.3% | +2.1 pts | +10.6 pts |
| Median age | 39.8 | +1.9 yrs | -1.7 yrs |
| No vehicle | 5.2% | -1.9 pts | -0.2 pts |
| No health insurance | 4.9% | -1.7 pts | -2.9 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.1% | -0.5 pts | +1.7 pts |
| Poverty rate | 11.6% | -0.4 pts | -1.6 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Santa Cruz County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.2% |
| 60+ min | 9.4% |
What a median Santa Cruz County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Santa Cruz County's medians:
- $9,258 a month: gross income for a household at the Santa Cruz County median
- Housing at the median rent of $2,264 uses 24%
- Under a 43% cap, $3,981 total minus rent leaves $1,717
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Santa Cruz County's.
Lender oversight for Santa Cruz County
Consumer lenders serving Santa Cruz County are licensed by the state, not the county; in California that is the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response.
Four steps for Santa Cruz County borrowers
Steps that save money for Santa Cruz County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Santa Cruz County-area credit union.
- Verify the California license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Beyond Santa Cruz County
Next step up from Santa Cruz County:
Frequently asked questions
Is $111,093 a good income in Santa Cruz County?
It is the county median, so half of Santa Cruz County households earn more and half less; 54% earn $100,000 or more.
How does Santa Cruz County rent compare with California?
$2,264 locally versus $2,036 for the state, 11% above.
Which towns does the Santa Cruz County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 30 Census places: Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Live Oak, Scotts Valley, Soquel.
Will a Santa Cruz County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming California as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
What agency protects Santa Cruz County borrowers?
The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation at the state level and the CFPB federally.