Cheap Homes for Rent in Santa Cruz, CA from $2,300 (6 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Homes available for rent right now in Santa Cruz.

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Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Santa Cruz, CA

Pricing Updated: 05/17/2025

Current apartment rentals in the Santa Cruz, CA area range in price from $1,750 to $9,500 with an overall median price of $5,947. The three Santa Cruz neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Escolona at $2,200, West King Street at $2,200, and Downtown Santa Cruz at $2,200. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Santa Cruz Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Escolona$4,595$2,20063
West King Street$4,810$2,200109
Downtown Santa Cruz$5,065$2,20085
Arana Gulch$5,400$2,20038
Bananna Belt$5,400$2,20091
Carbonera$5,400$2,20093
East Park$5,400$2,20090
Prospect Heights$5,400$2,20018
Eastside$5,495$2,20091
Central Santa Cruz$6,025$2,200121

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. 108 Sycamore St in the Prospect Heights 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 ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Mission Street CottagesA11BR,1BA$1,602
108 Sycamore StStudioStudio,1BA$2,200
St. George ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$2,200

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz, CA

As of May 17, 2025 the best value apartment in the 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 Santa Cruz apartment is the 2x2 Model at Pacific Shores starting at $4,831 with a $4.75 price per square foot in the Escolona neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Santa Cruz apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
121 Marnell Ave, Unit # A121 Marnell Ave4BR,2BA$3.65
Pacific Shores2x22BR,2BA$4.75
Chestnut Street2 Bed 1 Bath2BR,1BA$4.66
Westmont Townhomes2 Beds, 1 bath2BR,1BA$4.75
30th Ave TownhomesTH152BR,1.5BA$4.28
Capitola TownhomesTH152BR,1.5BA$4.74
Emerald Bay Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$3.84
Breakwater ApartmentsA11BR,1BA$4.80
1804 Mission StJr. 1 BedroomStudio ,1BA$4.51
Mission Street CottagesS1Studio ,1BA$4.93

Quick Rent Budget Calculator

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Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Cruz

What type of rentals are currently available in Santa Cruz?

There are currently 382 Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz, CA with pricing that ranges from $2,200 to $6,650. There are also 38 Single Family Homes for rent, Condos, and Townhome rentals currently available in Santa Cruz ranging from $2,300 to $9,600.

What is the current price range for Rental Homes in Santa Cruz?

Today's rental pricing for Homes for Rent, Condos and Townhomes in Santa Cruz ranges from $2,300 to $9,600 with an average monthly rent of $5,024.

How much are larger Three and Four Bedroom Rentals in Santa Cruz?

For those who are looking for larger living arrangements, Three Bedroom Apartments in Santa Cruz range from $3,733 to $4,950, while Three Bedroom Homes, Condos, and Townhomes for rent range from $3,900 to $7,200. Four Bedroom Single-Family rentals are also available starting from $5,500 and Four Bedroom Apartments start at $5,400.

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

If you’re looking to relocate right now, a popular solution that may best fit your current rental needs is a short-term lease.

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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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As a digital nomad, you no longer call a set address or office building your home for eight hours of the day or more.