Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Beach Flats Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA from $1,300 (11 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Beach Flats area of Santa Cruz.

Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

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Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

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307-309 Raymond St
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

307-309 Raymond St

307-309 Raymond StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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Seabright Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Seabright Apartments

116 Seabright AveSanta Cruz, CA 95062
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Seaside Studios
Studio Apartments

Seaside Studios

108 2nd StSanta Cruz, CA 95060

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Read our practical guide to landlord and tenant rights. Understand protected classes, reasonable accommodations, and legal exceptions to prevent housing discrimination.

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803 Laurel St
2 Bedroom Apartments

803 Laurel St

803 Laurel StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
  • Utilities Included
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317 Spruce St
2 Bedroom Apartments

317 Spruce St

317 Spruce StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
  • Utilities Included
  • Smoke Free

Beach Flats, Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Beach Flats Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Beach Flats area of Santa Cruz, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Mission Street Cottages priced from $1,602. 516 Center St has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,895. Here are the most affordable Beach Flats apartments for rent in Santa Cruz, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Mission Street CottagesA11BR,1BA$1,602
516 Center St516 Center StStudio,1BA$1,895
St. George ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$2,200
108 Sycamore StStudioStudio,1BA$2,200
The BreakersThe Shoreline1BR,1BA$2,500

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Beach Flats, CA

As of May 14, 2025 the best value apartment in the Beach Flats area is the $5.50 price per square foot 2 Bed/2 Bath-11A Model at Anton Pacific in the in the Downtown Santa Cruz neighborhood starting from $5,530. The second greatest value Beach Flats apartment is the 2 Bed 1 Bath Model at Chestnut Street starting at $4,192 with a $4.66 price per square foot in the Escolona neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Beach Flats apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Anton Pacific2 Bed/2 Bath-11A2BR,2BA$5.50
Chestnut Street2 Bed 1 Bath2BR,1BA$4.66
Westmont Townhomes2 Beds, 1 bath2BR,1BA$4.75
152 C Leibrandt Ave 3 Bed/2 Bath152 C3BR,2BA$5.28
OceanviewA11BR,1BA$5.07
Five55B11BR,1BA$5.68
1010 Pacific ApartmentsResidence A11BR,1BA$5.24
Hidden Creek Apartments1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$5.24
108 Sycamore StStudioStudio ,1BA$5.18
Mission Street CottagesS1Studio ,1BA$4.93

Quick Rent Budget Calculator

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Beach Flats, Santa Cruz, CA

Ranked #7

Among neighborhoods in Santa Cruz, CA for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Getting Around the Beach Flats Neighborhood in Santa Cruz, CA

Walk Score®

87 / 100

Very Walkable

Most errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

99 / 100

Biker's Paradise

Daily errands can be accomplished on a bike

Transit Score®

46 / 100

Some Transit

A few nearby public transportation options

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Beach Flats Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Beach Flats?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Beach Flats is under $3,295.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Beach Flats?

The cheapest apartment in Beach Flats is Mission Street Cottages which is listed at $1,602, while the average apartment in Beach Flats costs $6,650.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Beach Flats?

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 4 regular apartments in Beach Flats that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

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.

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Know Your Budget: Calculating What You Can Realistically Afford When Renting

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting an apartment or house isn’t just about looking through online ads, choosing a few apartments or homes you want to tour, filling out an application, and putting down a deposit. Those things are all necessary and important.

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The Freedom of Short-Term Leases: Exploring the Advantages for Renters

Written by: Bobbi Jackson

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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Written by: Sandy Baker

Making the decision to rent is exciting and terrifying at the same time. For many people, there are a lot of unknowns.

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Rise of Digital Nomads: Remote Work Tips for Apartment Renters

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