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Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Santa Cruz Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA from $1,800 (11 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Santa Cruz area of Santa Cruz.
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from $2,2001 Bedroom Apartment Available Now
310 Chestnut St, Unit 2
310 Chestnut StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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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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Rent Specials
from $2,750Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Five55
555 Pacific AveSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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from $2,7501 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Hidden Creek Apartments
200 Button StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters
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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from $2,9221 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
1010 Pacific Apartments
1010 Pacific AveSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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from $2,995Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Contact Us For Availability
NANDA ON PACIFIC
1547 Pacific AveSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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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2030 N Pacific Ave
Santa CruzCA95060
Showing Results 1-11, Page 1 of 1
Downtown Santa Cruz, 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 Downtown Santa Cruz?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Santa Cruz Studio Apartments | $3,270 | $2,200 | $4,020 |
| Downtown Santa Cruz 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,549 | $2,200 | $5,095 |
| Downtown Santa Cruz 2 Bedroom Apartments | $5,090 | $3,763 | $6,043 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 11 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown Santa Cruz Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA.
See all Apartments in Santa CruzExplore Santa Cruz
Downtown Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide
- Nearby Santa Cruz neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
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- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Available Downtown Santa Cruz Apartments for Rent
The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Santa Cruz area of Santa Cruz, CA is a Studio unit found at St. George Apartments priced from $2,200. 516 Center St has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $2,295. Here are the most affordable Downtown Santa Cruz apartments for rent in Santa Cruz, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. George Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,200 |
| 516 Center St | 516 Center St | Studio,1BA | $2,295 |
| Hidden Creek Apartments | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $2,750 |
| 1010 Pacific Apartments | Residence A1 | 1BR,1BA | $2,922 |
| Oceanview | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $3,295 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Santa Cruz, CA
As of May 18, 2025 the best value apartment in the Downtown Santa Cruz area is the $3.79 price per square foot 2x2 Model at Pacific Shores in the in the Escolona neighborhood starting from $3,848. The second greatest value Downtown Santa Cruz apartment is the 2 Bed/2 Bath-11A Model at Anton Pacific starting at $5,530 with a $5.50 price per square foot in the Downtown Santa Cruz neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Santa Cruz apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Shores | 2x2 | 2BR,2BA | $3.79 |
| Anton Pacific | 2 Bed/2 Bath-11A | 2BR,2BA | $5.50 |
| The Hilltop | B2 | 2BR,1BA | $5.58 |
| Oceanview | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $5.07 |
| Five55 | B1 | 1BR,1BA | $5.46 |
| 1010 Pacific Apartments | Residence A1 | 1BR,1BA | $5.24 |
| Hidden Creek Apartments | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $5.24 |
| 310 Chestnut St, Unit 2 | 310 Chestnut St | 1BR,1BA | $5.50 |
| 516 Center St | 516 Center St | Studio ,1BA | $6.56 |
| St. George Apartments | Studio | Studio ,1BA | $9.52 |
Quick Rent Budget Calculator
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Pet Friendly LifestyleDowntown Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
Ranked #19
Among neighborhoods in Santa Cruz, CA for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
3.0Pet Friendly
Getting Around the Downtown Santa Cruz Neighborhood in Santa Cruz, CA
Walk Score®
98 / 100
Walker’s Paradise
Daily errands do not require a car
Bike Score®
97 / 100
Biker's Paradise
Daily errands can be accomplished on a bike
Transit Score®
50 / 100
Good Transit
Many 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 Downtown Santa Cruz Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Santa Cruz?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Santa Cruz is under $3,848.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Santa Cruz?
The cheapest apartment in Downtown Santa Cruz is Hidden Creek Apartments which is listed at $2,750, while the average apartment in Downtown Santa Cruz costs $5,065.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown 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 1 regular apartments in Downtown 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.
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.
The Freedom of Short-Term Leases: Exploring the Advantages for Renters
Written by: Bobbi Jackson
If you’re looking to relocate right now, a popular solution that may best fit your current rental needs is a short-term lease.
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.
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.