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Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Central Santa Cruz Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA from $1,300 (16 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Central Santa Cruz area of 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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Rent Specials
from $2,209Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Five55
555 Pacific AveSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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from $2,545Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Cypress Point
101 Felix StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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from $2,575Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Pacific View Courts
81 Front StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants
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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Showing Results 1-16, Page 1 of 1
Central Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide
Copyright CoStar Group, Inc
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Central Santa Cruz?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Santa Cruz Studio Apartments | $2,876 | $1,895 | $4,020 |
| Central Santa Cruz 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,601 | $2,295 | $5,095 |
| Central Santa Cruz 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,937 | $2,950 | $6,043 |
| Central Santa Cruz 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,900 | $4,850 | $4,950 |
| Central Santa Cruz 4 Bedroom Apartments | $6,650 | $6,650 | $6,650 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 16 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Central Santa Cruz Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA.
See all Apartments in Santa CruzExplore Santa Cruz
Central Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide
- Nearby Santa Cruz neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
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- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Available Central Santa Cruz Apartments for Rent
The cheapest available apartment rental in the Central Santa Cruz 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 Central Santa Cruz apartments for rent in Santa Cruz, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mission Street Cottages | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $1,602 |
| 516 Center St | 516 Center St | Studio,1BA | $1,895 |
| The Breakers | The Breakers | Studio,1BA | $2,150 |
| St. George Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,200 |
| 108 Sycamore St | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,200 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Central Santa Cruz, CA
As of April 25, 2025 the best value apartment in the Central Santa Cruz area is the $3.65 price per square foot 121 Marnell Ave Model at 121 Marnell Ave, Unit # A in the in the Prospect Heights neighborhood starting from $5,400. The second greatest value Central Santa Cruz apartment is the D Model at Baytree Apartments starting at $2,985 with a $2.90 price per square foot in the Western neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Central Santa Cruz apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 121 Marnell Ave, Unit # A | 121 Marnell Ave | 4BR,2BA | $3.65 |
| Baytree Apartments | D | 2BR,2BA | $2.90 |
| Westmont Townhomes | 2 Beds, 1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $4.75 |
| Chestnut Street | 2 Bed 1 Bath | 2BR,1BA | $4.75 |
| San Lorenzo Apartments | 2 Bed 1 Bath | 2BR,1BA | $3.40 |
| Pacific View Courts | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $3.84 |
| The Sands | 2 bed 1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $4.60 |
| 1804 Mission St | Jr. 1 Bedroom | Studio ,1BA | $4.51 |
| 108 Sycamore St | Studio | Studio ,1BA | $5.18 |
| Mission Street Cottages | S1 | Studio ,1BA | $4.93 |
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Lifestyle Ratings
ApartmentHomeLiving brings you comprehensive Lifestyle Ratings of rentals in cities across the United States and customized analysis for Central Santa Cruz. Lifestyle Ratings show you the best fit for your needs and interests. This takes in many factors including rankings of the best places for the best proximity to parks and outdoor amenities, luxury amenities, transit availability, pet-friendly communities, features that make it easier to raise kids, in addition to floorplans, availablity, and pricing. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.
Getting Around the Central Santa Cruz Neighborhood in Santa Cruz, CA
Walk Score®
65 / 100
Somewhat Walkable
Some errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
82 / 100
Very Bikeable
Biking is convenient for most trips
Transit Score®
33 / 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 Central Santa Cruz Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Central Santa Cruz?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Central Santa Cruz is under $2,800.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Central Santa Cruz?
The cheapest apartment in Central Santa Cruz is Mission Street Cottages which is listed at $1,602, while the average apartment in Central Santa Cruz costs $6,650.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Central 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 4 regular apartments in Central Santa Cruz 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.
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.
Rise of Digital Nomads: Remote Work Tips for Apartment Renters
Written by: Brandie Parton
As a digital nomad, you no longer call a set address or office building your home for eight hours of the day or more.
Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Everyone needs a place to live and to call home. For decades, the federal government has established protections to ensure that individuals and families can find housing free from discriminatory barriers.
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.