FairRentWize

Honolulu vs Santa Cruz-Watsonville

Fair Market Rent Comparison — HUD 2025 Data

Quick Answer

Santa Cruz-Watsonville is 10% cheaper for renters. A 2-bedroom rents for $1,760/mo vs $1,937/mo in Honolulu — saving $2,124/year.

Rent by Unit Size

Unit SizeHonoluluSanta Cruz-WatsonvilleDifference
Studio$1,256$1,172$84
1 Bedroom$1,543$1,475$68
2 Bedrooms$1,937$1,760$177
3 Bedrooms$2,397$2,195$202
4 Bedrooms$2,745$2,530$215
Median Income$116,677$89,493$27,184

Honolulu

Studio
$1,256/mo
1 BR
$1,543/mo
2 BR
$1,937/mo
3 BR
$2,397/mo
4 BR
$2,745/mo
Median Income
$116,677/yr
Full Honolulu profile →

Santa Cruz-Watsonville

Studio
$1,172/mo
1 BR
$1,475/mo
2 BR
$1,760/mo
3 BR
$2,195/mo
4 BR
$2,530/mo
Median Income
$89,493/yr
Full Santa Cruz-Watsonville profile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Honolulu or Santa Cruz-Watsonville cheaper to rent in?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville is cheaper — a 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,760/mo vs $1,937/mo in Honolulu. That's $177/mo or $2,124/year more expensive in Honolulu (10% higher).
What is the 2-bedroom rent in Honolulu vs Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Honolulu is $1,937/month. In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, a 2-bedroom FMR is $1,760/month.
How do incomes compare between Honolulu and Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
The median household income in Honolulu is $116,677/year. In Santa Cruz-Watsonville it is $89,493/year. Honolulu has the higher median income.
What is the studio rent in Honolulu vs Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
A studio apartment Fair Market Rent in Honolulu is $1,256/mo. In Santa Cruz-Watsonville it is $1,172/mo.