Santa Cruz, CA—95060
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Santa Cruz, CA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Santa Cruz, CA is $1,340,000, with a year-over-year change of -1.2%. This indicates that home prices in Santa Cruz, CA are decreasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 0.8%, suggesting a relatively flat housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $1,340,000 | -1.2% |
| Single Family | $1,395,000 | -0.5% |
| Condos | $701,000 | -2.4% |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | $733,000 | -2.9% |
2 Bed | $1,040,000 | -1.2% |
3 Bed | $1,465,000 | -0.3% |
4 Bed | $1,834,000 | -0.7% |
| 5 Bed | $2,012,000 | -0.9% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Santa Cruz, CA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $4,050, with a year-over-year rent change of 5.2%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Santa Cruz, CA is studios: $2,090, 1-bedrooms: $2,830, 2-bedrooms: $3,720, 3-bedrooms: $5,500, 4-bedrooms: $6,700. The most common rental property sizes in Santa Cruz, CA are 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom, accounting for 29.5% and 27.9% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,540 | $4,050 |
| Studio Rent | $1,880 | $2,090 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $2,860 | $2,830 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $3,840 | $3,720 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $5,300 | $5,500 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $6,200 | $6,700 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Santa Cruz, CA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Santa Cruz, CA is 51. This is a increase of 16.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 30.0%, representing a large inventory and a lot of supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $1,470,000 | -1.0% |
Listing Count | 80 | 21.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.2% | 21.0% |
Days on Market | 51 | 16.0% |
Demographics — Santa Cruz, CA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Santa Cruz, CA has a population of 46,000, which has decreased by -2.8% over the past 5 years. Santa Cruz, CA is a less popular place for families, as children make up 14.1% of the population. The area has a highly educated workforce, with 55.2% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are some residents working remotely, with 22.1% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 46,000 | -2.8% |
% Under 18 | 14.1% | -6.6% |
% Seniors | 16.9% | 14.2% |
% WFH | 22.1% | 220.3% |
% w/ College Degree | 55.2% | 2.8% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Santa Cruz, CA is a predominantly white area, with 65.3% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 4.3% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Santa Cruz, CA is hispanic, making up 22.1% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 13.2% of the population in Santa Cruz, CA, and this percentage has decreased by 7.0% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting fewer immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 65.3% | -4.3% |
% Black | 1.4% | -22.2% |
% Hispanic | 22.1% | 17.6% |
% Asian | 5.6% | -15.2% |
% Foreign Born | 13.2% | -7.0% |
Mortgage and Risk — Santa Cruz, CA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 316 mortgage originations in Santa Cruz, CA, of which 96.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 38.0%, with 2.0% above 90% LTV (normal). This implies small mortgage risk in Santa Cruz, CA. Investor activity is low, as 3.0% of loans were by investors. 11.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting many homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 316 |
% Conventional Loans | 96.0% |
% Government Loans | 4.0% |
% Investor Loans | 3.0% |
% Second Loans | 6.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 11.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Santa Cruz, CA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Santa Cruz, CA under the Section 8 program is 14.3%. This is considered low, suggesting that the neighborhood is sparsely composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. In Santa Cruz, CA, all tracked home sizes have HUD payment amounts above market rent, suggesting strong Section 8 opportunity across the board.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 1,369 |
Total Units Section 8 | 1,349 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 14.3% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 92.5% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $940 | $2,860 | $3,800 |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,140 | $3,840 | $4,980 |
| 3 Bedroom | $900 | $5,300 | $6,200 |
| 4 Bedroom | $410 | $6,200 | $6,610 |
Affordability — Santa Cruz, CA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 12.2 |
| Median Home Price | $1,340,000 |
| Median Household Income | $106,000 |