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118 1st St, Unit Walk to the Beach
118 1st StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
Cheap Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz, CA from $1,300 (17 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Santa Cruz.
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from $2,200Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
108 Sycamore St
108 Sycamore StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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111 8th Ave
Santa CruzCA95062
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Showing Results 1-17, Page 1 of 1
Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide
Santa Cruz Lighthouses and the Setting Sun by Anita Ritenour is licensed under CC BY 2.0
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Santa Cruz?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap Santa Cruz Studio Apartments | $3,155 | $2,200 | $4,039 |
| Cheap Santa Cruz 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,630 | $1,800 | $5,267 |
| Cheap Santa Cruz 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,869 | $2,995 | $6,043 |
| Cheap Santa Cruz 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,697 | $4,395 | $4,950 |
Browse Top Apartments in Santa Cruz
See all Apartments in Santa CruzExplore Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide
Written By:
Justin HabersaatEditing Staff
- Santa Cruz Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Santa Cruz, CA
Pricing Updated: 03/27/2025Current apartment rentals in the Santa Cruz, CA area range in price from $1,800 to $9,500 with an overall median price of $5,043. The three Santa Cruz neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Downtown Santa Cruz at $2,200, Western at $1,800, and Escolona at $2,200. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Santa Cruz Apartments for rent:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Santa Cruz | $4,795 | $2,200 | 172 |
| Western | $4,800 | $1,800 | 170 |
| Escolona | $4,805 | $2,200 | 153 |
| West King Street | $4,831 | $2,200 | 163 |
| King Street | $4,850 | $1,800 | 157 |
| UCSC | $4,850 | $1,800 | 157 |
| Arana Gulch | $4,900 | $2,200 | 44 |
| East Park | $4,900 | $2,200 | 45 |
| Neary Lagoon | $4,900 | $1,800 | 167 |
| Prospect Heights | $4,900 | $2,200 | 10 |
Cheapest Available Santa Cruz Apartments for Rent
The cheapest available apartment rental in Santa Cruz, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Mission Street Cottages in the Escolona neighborhood priced from $1,602. St. George Apartments in the Escolona neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $2,200. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Santa Cruz apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mission Street Cottages | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $1,602 |
| St. George Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,200 |
| 108 Sycamore St | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,200 |
| The Breakers | The Breakers | Studio,1BA | $2,245 |
| 1804 Mission St | Jr. 1 Bedroom | Studio,1BA | $2,575 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz, CA
As of March 27, 2025 the best value apartment in the Santa Cruz area is the $3.51 price per square foot Plan 1 Model at Landing at Capitola in the in the Eastside neighborhood starting from $3,374. The second greatest value Santa Cruz apartment is the 2430 Felt St Model at 2430 Felt St, Unit 2430 starting at $2,995 with a $3.33 price per square foot in the Eastside neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Santa Cruz apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landing at Capitola | Plan 1 | 2BR,2BA | $3.51 |
| 2430 Felt St, Unit 2430 | 2430 Felt St | 2BR,1BA | $3.33 |
| 30th Ave Townhomes | TH15 | 2BR,1.5BA | $3.66 |
| San Lorenzo Apartments | 2 Bed 1 Bath | 2BR,1BA | $3.74 |
| Breakwater Apartments | B1 | 2BR,1BA | $4.06 |
| Emerald Bay Apartments | Two Bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $3.98 |
| 311 Cypress Ave, Unit Cypress Avenue | 311 Cypress Ave | 2BR,1BA | $4.27 |
| Hidden Creek Apartments | 2 Bed 1 Bath | 2BR,1BA | $4.52 |
| 1804 Mission St | Jr. 1 Bedroom | Studio ,1BA | $4.55 |
| 118 1st St, Unit Walk to the Beach | 118 1st St | 1BR,1BA | $4.50 |
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Santa Cruz Overview
Known across the globe for its famed redwood trees and sweeping ocean views, Santa Cruz is a darling city of the California scene. Home to plenty of historic hot spots as well as an inviting downtown mixture of nightlife and retail shopping, this west coast destination should be on the 'must-consider' list for anyone seriously considering a move to Cali.
Why live in Santa Cruz, CA?
Why in the world not? Easily one of the most in-demand locales of the entire west coast, life in a Santa Cruz apartment for rent is about as good as it gets. Flush with area schools and plenty of employers such as Plantronics, this forward-thinking and environmentally-conscious hotspot is a fantastic place to call home.
Best Local Schools in Santa Cruz, CA
Brook Knoll Elementary
Scotts Valley Unified School District
Public School - Grades K-5 (464)
8 out of 10
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Santa Cruz, CA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz, CA Apartments MapSanta Cruz, CA Rental Homes MapGetting Around Santa Cruz, CA
Walk Score®
81 / 100
Very Walkable
Most errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
93 / 100
Biker's Paradise
Daily errands can be accomplished on a bike
Transit Score®
36 / 100
Some Transit
A few nearby public transportation options
What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?
- Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
- Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
- Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Santa Cruz Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Santa Cruz?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Santa Cruz is under $2,915.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Santa Cruz?
The cheapest apartment in Santa Cruz is Mission Street Cottages which is listed at $1,602, while the average apartment in Santa Cruz costs $5,043.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Santa Cruz?
Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 152 regular apartments in Santa Cruz that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.
How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Santa Cruz?
Cheap apartments in Santa Cruz have an average cost of $500 which is $4,543 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Santa Cruz.
Expert Rental Resources
Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips
The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.
Understanding Amenity Fees: Know Where You Might Be Able to Save Money
Written by: Amber Kanuckel
With the rising costs of housing, a lot of renters are asking this question: Is it possible to opt out of various amenities that your rental property offers so that you can avoid paying the fees.
Renting Smart: Lease Basics Every Renter Needs
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Often, in the excitement of finding a new place to live, there’s a rush to make it happen, and - too often - a new tenant signs a lease without reading it carefully.
Battling the Butts: Your Guide to the Reality of Smoke-Free Renting
Written by: Andrea Lee Negroni, JD
While many apartment buildings are “no smoking” properties, it’s hard to know exactly how many. In 2017, the National Apartment Association reported more than half of rental properties had smoke free policies.
How Your Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
If you’re anything like most people, housing costs represent a huge chunk of your monthly budget. On top of that, moving can be both a stressful and expensive affair.