Santa Cruz-Watsonville Fair Market Rent 2026
HUD Fair Market Rent data for the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metropolitan area. Median household income: $89,493/year. Vacancy rate: 7.6%.
2BR FMR
$1,760/mo
Median Income
$89,493
Vacancy Rate
7.6%
Rent Burden
23.6%
Fair Market Rent by Bedroom Size
Affordability Analysis
Based on the 30% rule, a household earning the median income of $89,493/year can afford up to $2,237/mo in rent.
The 2BR FMR of $1,760/mo represents 23.6% of median income, which is within the 30% affordability threshold.
Rental Market Conditions
The vacancy rate of 7.6% in Santa Cruz-Watsonville indicates a loose rental market. Higher vacancy gives renters more options and potential leverage on pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
The 2026 HUD FMR for a 2-bedroom in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro area is $1,760/month. 1BR: $1,475, 3BR: $2,195.
What is the vacancy rate in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
The rental vacancy rate in Santa Cruz-Watsonville is 7.6%. A rate below 5% typically indicates a tight rental market.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville affordable for renters?
With a median income of $89,493 and 2BR rent at $1,760/mo, rent takes about 24% of income in Santa Cruz-Watsonville.
Compare with Other Metro Areas
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara
2BR: $2,412/mo
New York-Newark-Jersey City
2BR: $2,293/mo
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley
2BR: $2,200/mo
Honolulu
2BR: $1,937/mo
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
2BR: $1,888/mo
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
2BR: $1,856/mo
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura
2BR: $1,761/mo
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
2BR: $1,754/mo
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