Rent comparison · HUD FY2026
Santa Cruz County vs Los Angeles County
How do Santa Cruz County and Los Angeles County rents compare? A side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent breakdown, studio through 4-bedroom.
- $3,298
- Santa Cruz County (1BR)
- $2,085
- Los Angeles County (1BR)
- +58%
- 1BR difference
Side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent comparison. Data from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
A 1-bedroom in Santa Cruz County is 58% more expensive than Los Angeles County at the HUD Fair Market Rent level ($3,298 vs $2,085). Both figures are the 40th percentile of gross rents (utilities included, telephone excluded) set by HUD for the federal fiscal year 2026. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards in each area are set between 90% and 110% of these FMR numbers. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents.
How Do Rents Compare By Bedroom?
| Bedrooms | Santa Cruz County | Los Angeles County | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,179 | $1,863 | +$1316 (+71%) |
| 1 Bedroom | $3,298 | $2,085 | +$1213 (+58%) |
| 2 Bedroom | $4,214 | $2,601 | +$1613 (+62%) |
| 3 Bedroom | $5,377 | $3,298 | +$2079 (+63%) |
| 4 Bedroom | $5,659 | $3,672 | +$1987 (+54%) |
vs US National Average
National average 1BR: $959. Santa Cruz County is 244% above the US average. Los Angeles County is 117% above.
Sources: HUD Fair Market Rents FY 2026. Population and median income from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).