FairRentWize

New York-Newark-Jersey City vs Santa Cruz-Watsonville

Fair Market Rent Comparison — HUD 2025 Data

Quick Answer

Santa Cruz-Watsonville is 30% cheaper for renters. A 2-bedroom rents for $1,760/mo vs $2,293/mo in New York-Newark-Jersey City — saving $6,396/year.

Rent by Unit Size

Unit SizeNew York-Newark-Jersey CitySanta Cruz-WatsonvilleDifference
Studio$1,531$1,172$359
1 Bedroom$1,813$1,475$338
2 Bedrooms$2,293$1,760$533
3 Bedrooms$2,674$2,195$479
4 Bedrooms$3,167$2,530$637
Median Income$124,777$89,493$35,284

New York-Newark-Jersey City

Studio
$1,531/mo
1 BR
$1,813/mo
2 BR
$2,293/mo
3 BR
$2,674/mo
4 BR
$3,167/mo
Median Income
$124,777/yr
Full New York-Newark-Jersey City 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 New York-Newark-Jersey City or Santa Cruz-Watsonville cheaper to rent in?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville is cheaper — a 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,760/mo vs $2,293/mo in New York-Newark-Jersey City. That's $533/mo or $6,396/year more expensive in New York-Newark-Jersey City (30% higher).
What is the 2-bedroom rent in New York-Newark-Jersey City vs Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in New York-Newark-Jersey City is $2,293/month. In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, a 2-bedroom FMR is $1,760/month.
How do incomes compare between New York-Newark-Jersey City and Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
The median household income in New York-Newark-Jersey City is $124,777/year. In Santa Cruz-Watsonville it is $89,493/year. New York-Newark-Jersey City has the higher median income.
What is the studio rent in New York-Newark-Jersey City vs Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
A studio apartment Fair Market Rent in New York-Newark-Jersey City is $1,531/mo. In Santa Cruz-Watsonville it is $1,172/mo.