
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the UCSC Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA from $1,600 (15 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the UCSC area of Santa Cruz.


310 Chestnut St, Unit 2

Cypress Point
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.

Chestnut Street

Five55

Hidden Creek Apartments
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.
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.
UCSC, Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in UCSC?
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
UCSC Studio Apartments | $2,952 | $2,200 | $4,020 |
UCSC 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,496 | $2,200 | $5,095 |
UCSC 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,917 | $3,499 | $6,043 |
UCSC 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,850 | $4,850 | $4,850 |
UCSC 4 Bedroom Apartments | $6,650 | $6,650 | $6,650 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 15 rentals with your search options within a 1 mile radius of the UCSC Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA.
See all Apartments in Santa CruzExplore Santa Cruz
UCSC, Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide
- Nearby Santa Cruz neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Available UCSC Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the UCSC area of Santa Cruz, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Mission Street Cottages priced from $1,602. 108 Sycamore St has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $2,200. Here are the most affordable UCSC apartments for rent in Santa Cruz, CA:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
---|---|---|---|
Mission Street Cottages | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $1,602 |
108 Sycamore St | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,200 |
St. George Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,200 |
516 Center St | 516 Center St | Studio,1BA | $2,295 |
The Breakers | The Shoreline | 1BR,1BA | $2,500 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in UCSC, CA
As of May 15, 2025 the best value apartment in the UCSC area is the $4.75 price per square foot 2x2 Model at Pacific Shores in the in the Escolona neighborhood starting from $4,831. The second greatest value UCSC apartment is the 2 Beds, 1 bath Model at Westmont Townhomes starting at $4,275 with a $4.75 price per square foot in the Escolona neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for UCSC apartments based on price per square foot:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
---|---|---|---|
Pacific Shores | 2x2 | 2BR,2BA | $4.75 |
Westmont Townhomes | 2 Beds, 1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $4.75 |
Chestnut Street | 2 Bed 1 Bath | 2BR,1BA | $4.66 |
Oceanview | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $5.07 |
Five55 | B1 | 1BR,1BA | $5.46 |
1804 Mission St | Jr. 1 Bedroom | Studio ,1BA | $4.51 |
1010 Pacific Apartments | Residence A1 | 1BR,1BA | $5.24 |
Hidden Creek Apartments | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $5.24 |
108 Sycamore St | Studio | Studio ,1BA | $5.18 |
Mission Street Cottages | S1 | Studio ,1BA | $4.93 |
Quick Rent Budget Calculator
How much rent can you afford?
The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.
Pet Friendly LifestyleUcsc, Santa Cruz, CA
Ranked #8
Among neighborhoods in Santa Cruz, CA for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
4.0Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Ucsc, Santa Cruz, CA
Bay View Elementary
School data provided by Great Schools
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap UCSC Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in UCSC?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in UCSC is under $2,922.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in UCSC?
The cheapest apartment in UCSC is Mission Street Cottages which is listed at $1,602, while the average apartment in UCSC costs $6,650.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in UCSC?
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 2 regular apartments in UCSC 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.