salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 7.1 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $132,880 a year. That is $64 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 555 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Capitola?
Share of households by yearly income. 39.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Capitola
| Size | Capitola | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,839 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,336 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,759 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Capitola overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Capitola, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Capitola
Life in Capitola
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Capitola?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,111 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $783,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $78,300 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Capitola, CA?
Renting in Capitola costs a median of about $3,322 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Capitola?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $132,880 a year, or $64 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Capitola cheap or expensive?
Capitola is rated Expensive: rent takes 35.9% of the typical household income of $111,060. It ranks 555th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Capitola?
The median homeowner in Capitola pays $5,675 a year in property taxes, about 0.72% of the median home value.
Is Capitola more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Capitola?
The median home value in Capitola is $783,000, about 7.1 times the typical yearly household income.
9,689 people live in Capitola. Numbers are typical (middle) values.