
Studio Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz, CA (153 Rentals)


NANDA ON PACIFIC

Five55

The Breakers

St. George Apartments

201 River Street Apartments

Total Monthly Price
Anton Pacific

Total Monthly Price
Cypress Point

Seaside Studios

The Palomar Inn
Genius Ideas and Studio Layout Tips That Maximize Every Square Inch
Transform your studio apartment layout and maximize storage. Get proven ideas from a 20-year property expert to make any small space stylish and functional.

317 Leibrandt Ave

413 Laurel St

160 Park Pl

151 Marine Parade

312 Ocean St

708 Riverside Ave

206 Leibrandt Ave

4 Units in Santa Cruz

320 Dakota Ave

438 Market St
Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts
Create a productive work-from-home apartment setup, even in a small space or studio. Discover layout ideas, desk solutions, and organization tips that actually work.

317 Cliff St

1550 30th Ave

Harvey West Studios

El Centro

250 6th Ave

Homestead park senior community

123 Pearl St

140 Doyle St

Opal Cliffs MHP

Antonelli Senior Community
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.

130 Mccornick St

Garden Street

The Breakers In Santa Cruz

630 Carmel St

3320 Portola Dr

2121 Portola Dr

Neptune Apartments

126-130 Toledo St

Claradon Court Apartments

2711 Soquel Ave
The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour
Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

3030 Elda Ln

Porter College B

The Carmel

Pogonip Terrace Apartments

134-146 Mccornick St

Ocean Breeza Mobile Manor

335 Felix St

127 Ocean St

159 Mission St

344-350 Ocean St
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.
Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Santa Cruz?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
Santa Cruz Studio Apartments | $3,145 | $1,860 | $4,092 |
| Santa Cruz 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,528 | $2,295 | $5,552 |
| Santa Cruz 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,838 | $2,695 | $7,500 |
| Santa Cruz 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,441 | $3,933 | $4,950 |
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Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide

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Santa Cruz Studio Apartment Units with Current Availability by Neighborhood
Availability Confirmed As of: May 26, 2026There are currently 346 available Studio apartment units from neighborhoods all over Santa Cruz, CA that range in price from $849 to $4,092. Central Santa Cruz, Ocean Street and Riverwalk are the neighborhoods that currently have the most Studio availability. Here is today's list of the top neighborhoods in Santa Cruz with the most available Studio apartments:
| Neighborhood | Available Units | Median Price | Min Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Santa Cruz | 27 | $3,285 | $1,860 |
| Ocean Street | 27 | $3,285 | $1,860 |
| Riverwalk | 27 | $3,305 | $1,860 |
| Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | 27 | $3,285 | $1,860 |
| Seabright | 27 | $3,305 | $1,860 |
| Bananna Belt | 26 | $3,315 | $1,860 |
| Beach Flats | 26 | $3,290 | $1,860 |
| Carbonera | 26 | $3,315 | $1,860 |
| Neary Lagoon | 26 | $3,290 | $1,860 |
| Downtown Santa Cruz | 25 | $3,330 | $1,860 |
Largest Available Santa Cruz Studio Apartments
The largest available Studio apartment unit in Santa Cruz, CA is found at River Row in the Downtown Santa Cruz neighborhood and is 477 square feet priced from $3,455. The Breakers in the Ocean Street neighborhood has the second largest Studio, which is sized at 310 square feet and currently listed start at $2,295. Here is today’s list of the largest available Studio units in Santa Cruz:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Square Footage | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Row | S1 | 477 Sq Ft | $3,455 |
| The Breakers | The Breakers | 310 Sq Ft | $2,295 |
| St. George Apartments | Studio | 231 Sq Ft | $2,200 |
| Seaside Studios | Studio | 230 Sq Ft | $1,925 |
| The Palomar Inn | Palomar Inn -SRO | 190 Sq Ft | $1,860 |
Cheapest Available Santa Cruz Studio Apartments
As of May 26, 2026 the lowest priced Studio apartment unit in Santa Cruz, CA is the Palomar Inn -SRO Model starting from $1,860 at The Palomar Inn in the Downtown Santa Cruz neighborhood. The second most affordable Santa Cruz Studio is the Studio Model at Seaside Studios starting at $1,925 in the Ocean Street neighborhood. The average price for all Studio apartments in Santa Cruz is currently $3,145. Here is today’s list of the cheapest available Studio options in Santa Cruz:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Priced From |
|---|---|---|
| The Palomar Inn | Palomar Inn -SRO | $1,860 |
| Seaside Studios | Studio | $1,925 |
| St. George Apartments | Studio | $2,200 |
| The Breakers | The Breakers | $2,295 |
| River Row | S2 | $3,225 |
Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University
From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.
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Santa Cruz Overview
Known across the globe for its famed redwood trees and sweeping ocean views, Santa Cruz is a darling city of the California scene. Home to plenty of historic hot spots as well as an inviting downtown mixture of nightlife and retail shopping, this west coast destination should be on the 'must-consider' list for anyone seriously considering a move to Cali.
Why live in Santa Cruz, CA?
Why in the world not? Easily one of the most in-demand locales of the entire west coast, life in a Santa Cruz apartment for rent is about as good as it gets. Flush with area schools and plenty of employers such as Plantronics, this forward-thinking and environmentally-conscious hotspot is a fantastic place to call home.
Santa Cruz, CAPopulation: 64,725
Ranked #582
in US Census Population by City
Best Local Schools in Santa Cruz, CA
Westlake Elementary
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Santa Cruz, CA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Santa Cruz, CA
Frequently Asked Questions about Studio Santa Cruz Apartments
What is the Cheapest apartment in Santa Cruz with Studio?
Currently the most affordable Studio in Santa Cruz is at The Palomar Inn listed at $1,860.
How much is the average rent for a Studio Santa Cruz Apartment?
The average rent for a Studio Apartment in Santa Cruz is $3,145.
What is the largest available Studio Santa Cruz Apartment for rent?
Today's apartment with the most square footage in Santa Cruz is a 477 square feet unit starting from $3,455 at River Row.
Expert Rental Resources
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.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

Genius Ideas and Studio Layout Tips That Maximize Every Square Inch
Written by: Lauren Harrington
This article was written based on first-hand renter experiences and common layout challenges identified after move-in.

A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back
Written by: Lauren Harrington
I’m going to talk with you as a seasoned property manager and friend. So, let’s start with your security deposit. I want you to think about this guide as insider information. You deserve your deposit back.

Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts
Written by: Lauren Harrington
This article is based on first-hand experience managing apartment communities and helping renters adapt to their spaces after moving in.

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much
Written by: Lauren Harrington
This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.