NAICS 53

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Metro Market Score 44.3 (Moderate), ranked #178 of 330 metros. 418 establishments, 1,379 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 44.3
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national real estate and rental and leasing average.

Santa Cruz-Watsonville ranks in the lower half for real estate and rental and leasing market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 44.3, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
60.0
LQ: 0.85
Rank #198 of 330 metros
Wage Competitiveness
70.3
$61,777 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 71.8
Employment growth index
Rank #94 of 330 metros
Wage Pressure
16.1
YoY wage change index

418 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing Firms in Santa Cruz-Watsonville

418
Establishments
-1.6% YoY
1,379
Total Employment
+3.2% YoY
$61,777
Average Annual Wage
+2.9% YoY
0.85
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Santa Cruz-Watsonville vs California Statewide

How this metro's real estate and rental and leasing market compares to California overall. The state ranks #39/51 for entry risk.

Measure Santa Cruz-Watsonville CA Statewide
Overall Score 44.3 Moderate 47.1 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #178 of 330 metros #39 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville

Information 31.9 Construction 47.5 Healthcare and Social Assistance 49.2 Administrative and Support Services 54.0 Finance and Insurance 61.0 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 62.6 Retail Trade 64.7 Other Services 78.6 Accommodation and Food Services 83.7

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing in Other California Metros

El Centro 22.5 #33/330 Hanford-Corcoran 29.8 #67/330 Fresno 30.3 #72/330 Modesto 35.8 #104/330 Salinas 37.9 #116/330 Merced 38.3 #119/330 Yuba City 40.3 #143/330 Visalia 41.8 #157/330 Redding 43.3 #171/330 Bakersfield-Delano 46.5 #188/330

+ 14 more metros. View all in California →

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Santa Cruz-Watsonville's real estate and rental and leasing sector, the wage competitiveness component (70.3) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.