2026 Affordability Data
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Santa Cruz - 2026 Data
The median home value in Santa Cruz is $950,000, 237% above nat'l avg. Median rent is $1,363/month. With an affordability index of 38, Santa Cruz is less affordable than the national baseline of 100. We ranked 15 neighborhoods by affordability to help you find the best value in the Santa Cruz, CA area.
Key Takeaways: Affordability in Santa Cruz
- 1The most affordable neighborhood in Santa Cruz is Corona, with a median home value of $624,200.
- 2Santa Cruz's median home value is $950,000, 237% above nat'l avg (national: $281,900).
- 3Santa Cruz's affordability index is 38 (baseline 100), making it less affordable than the national average.
- 4Median rent in Santa Cruz is $1,363/month, 17% above nat'l avg (national: $1,163/month).
- 5We analyzed 15 neighborhoods in Santa Cruz to find the most affordable areas based on home values, rent, and affordability index.
Santa Cruz Affordability Overview
Median Home Value
$950,000
237% above nat'l avg
Median Rent
$1,363/mo
17% above nat'l avg
Median Income
$66,580
11% below nat'l avg
Affordability Index
38
62% below nat'l avg
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Santa Cruz (Ranked)
| Rank | Neighborhood | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CoronaCA | $624,200 |
| 2 | RosevilleCA | $596,700 |
| 3 | OntarioCA | $513,000 |
| 4 | FontanaCA | $506,600 |
| 5 | Santa RosaCA | $661,700 |
| 6 | Grass ValleyCA | $434,100 |
| 7 | MarysvilleCA | $269,300 |
| 8 | Mill ValleyCA | $2,000,001 |
| 9 | Moreno ValleyCA | $421,400 |
| 10 | FremontCA | $1,231,500 |
| 11 | ParlierCA | $216,200 |
| 12 | GlendaleCA | $992,000 |
| 13 | HaywardCA | $775,700 |
| 14 | Elk GroveCA | $560,500 |
| 15 | VisaliaCA | $316,600 |
Detailed Neighborhood Profiles
Home Value: $624,200
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 158,346
Walk Score: 0/100
Home Value: $596,700
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 148,879
Walk Score: 0/100
Home Value: $513,000
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 176,326
Walk Score: 0/100
4
Home Value: $506,600
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 209,279
Walk Score: 0/100
5
Home Value: $661,700
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 178,221
Walk Score: 0/100
6
Home Value: $434,100
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 13,964
Walk Score: 0/100
7
Home Value: $269,300
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 12,681
Walk Score: 0/100
8
Home Value: $2,000,001
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 14,199
Walk Score: 0/100
9
Home Value: $421,400
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 209,578
Walk Score: 0/100
10
Home Value: $1,231,500
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 228,795
Walk Score: 0/100
11
Home Value: $216,200
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 14,625
Walk Score: 0/100
12
Home Value: $992,000
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 194,512
Walk Score: 0/100
13
Home Value: $775,700
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 160,602
Walk Score: 0/100
14
Home Value: $560,500
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 176,105
Walk Score: 0/100
15
Home Value: $316,600
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 141,466
Walk Score: 0/100
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordability in Santa Cruz
What is the most affordable neighborhood in Santa Cruz, CA?▾
Based on 2026 data, Corona is the most affordable neighborhood in Santa Cruz with a median home value of $624,200. Kurby analyzed 15 neighborhoods in the Santa Cruz area to compile these rankings.
What is the median home price in Santa Cruz, CA?▾
The median home price in Santa Cruz is $950,000, which is 237% above nat'l avg. The national median home value is $281,900 (Source: Kurby, 2026).
Is Santa Cruz affordable compared to the national average?▾
Santa Cruz has an affordability index of 38, which means housing is less affordable than the national baseline of 100. An index above 100 indicates that a median-income household can afford a median-priced home in the area.
What is the average rent in Santa Cruz, CA?▾
The median monthly rent in Santa Cruz is $1,363. This is 17% above nat'l avg. The national median rent is $1,163/month (Source: Kurby, 2026).
What is the median household income in Santa Cruz?▾
The median household income in Santa Cruz is $66,580 compared to the national median of $74,580. This metric is important for understanding housing affordability in relation to local earning power (Source: Kurby, 2026).
How many neighborhoods in Santa Cruz are below the national average home price?▾
2 out of 15 ranked neighborhoods in Santa Cruz have a median home value below the national average of $281,900. The most affordable is Marysville at $269,300 (Source: Kurby, 2026).