Santa Cruz County, California Housing Market
In Santa Cruz County, California, the median home value is $1,027,500, with a median monthly rent of $2,264. This places Santa Cruz County at #13 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #6 within California.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $1,280
- Establishments: 10,066
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 163
- Multi-family: 307
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 111,789 (avg $138,414)
- Outflow: 110,715 (avg $137,198)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 10 active ZIP codes in Santa Cruz County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 95019 | 274.8 | — | 2025 |
| 2 | 95073 | 258.0 | -9.07% | 2025 |
| 3 | 95010 | 264.1 | -14.37% | 2025 |
| 4 | 95062 | 318.1 | +7.60% | 2025 |
| 5 | 95007 | 246.3 | +5.62% | 2025 |
| 6 | 95060 | 248.8 | -3.90% | 2025 |
| 7 | 95065 | 257.5 | -0.83% | 2025 |
| 8 | 95006 | 231.2 | +2.64% | 2025 |
| 9 | 95005 | 249.8 | +4.25% | 2025 |
| 10 | 95066 | 243.2 | -2.55% | 2025 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
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💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Santa Cruz County Compares
| Metric | Santa Cruz County | California Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $1,027,500 | $609,221 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $2,264 | $1,690 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 59.9% | 63.4% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 37.8 | 28.5 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Santa Cruz County is 68.7% above the California state average and 351.2% above the U.S. national average. The median rent of $2,264/month is 34.0% above the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 37.8, Santa Cruz County is a strongly rent-favored market. Home prices are high relative to rents, meaning renting is typically far cheaper than owning in the near term.
Santa Cruz County has an owner-occupancy rate of 59.9%, compared to 63.4% in California and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more renter-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falls Church city | Virginia | $1,055,600 | $2,190 |
| Summit County | Utah | $1,067,700 | $1,987 |
| Alameda County | California | $1,090,100 | $2,357 |
| New York County | New York | $1,090,500 | $2,197 |
| Orange County | California | $962,600 | $2,434 |
Other Counties in California
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda County | $1,090,100 | $2,357 | 54.4% |
| Orange County | $962,600 | $2,434 | 56.4% |
| Napa County | $869,500 | $2,237 | 63.4% |
| Contra Costa County | $866,800 | $2,375 | 68.0% |
| San Diego County | $854,700 | $2,246 | 54.6% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).