
Studio Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz, CA (155 Rentals)


The Breakers

NANDA ON PACIFIC

Five55

St. George Apartments

Total Monthly Price
Cypress Point

The Palomar Inn

Total Monthly Price
135 Camino del Sol, Unit 135A

1104 E Cliff Dr

250 6th Ave
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

242 San Lorenzo Blvd

318 Spruce St

Cypress Apartments

1464-1468 Upper Park Rd

114 Viaduct Ct

216-226 Felix St
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.

2230 Alice St

Homestead park senior community

123 Pearl St

140 Doyle St

Opal Cliffs MHP

Antonelli Senior Community

130 Mccornick St

Garden Street

The Breakers In Santa Cruz

630 Carmel St
Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

3320 Portola Dr

2121 Portola Dr

Neptune Apartments

126-130 Toledo St

Claradon Court Apartments

2711 Soquel Ave

3030 Elda Ln

Porter College B

The Carmel

Pogonip Terrace Apartments
How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide
Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.
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 | $3,163 | $1,860 | $3,505 |
| Santa Cruz 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,437 | $2,479 | $4,278 |
| Santa Cruz 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,554 | $2,695 | $7,500 |
| Santa Cruz 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,933 | $3,933 | $3,933 |
| Santa Cruz 4 Bedroom Apartments | $7,085 | $7,085 | $7,085 |
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Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide

- Santa Cruz Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Santa Cruz Studio Apartment Units with Current Availability by Neighborhood
Availability Confirmed As of: July 11, 2026There are currently 355 available Studio apartment units from neighborhoods all over Santa Cruz, CA that range in price from $1,800 to $3,505. Central Santa Cruz, Ocean Street and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 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 | 28 | $3,305 | $1,860 |
| Ocean Street | 28 | $3,305 | $1,860 |
| Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | 28 | $3,300 | $1,860 |
| Western | 28 | $3,305 | $1,800 |
| Beach Flats | 27 | $3,315 | $1,860 |
| King Street | 27 | $3,315 | $1,860 |
| Neary Lagoon | 27 | $3,315 | $1,860 |
| UCSC | 27 | $3,315 | $1,860 |
| Bananna Belt | 25 | $3,335 | $1,860 |
| Carbonera | 25 | $3,335 | $1,860 |
Largest Available Santa Cruz Studio Apartments
The largest available Studio apartment unit in Santa Cruz, CA is found at Anton Pacific in the Downtown Santa Cruz neighborhood and is 704 square feet priced from $3,972. River Row has the second largest Studio, which is sized at 477 square feet and currently listed start at $3,455. Here is today’s list of the largest available Studio units in Santa Cruz:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Square Footage | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anton Pacific | Studio-3A | 704 Sq Ft | $3,972 |
| River Row | S1 | 477 Sq Ft | $3,455 |
| Cypress Point | Residence 1 | 440 Sq Ft | $2,682 |
| The Breakers | The Breakers | 310 Sq Ft | $2,295 |
| St. George Apartments | Studio | 231 Sq Ft | $2,200 |
| The Palomar Inn | Palomar Inn -SRO | 190 Sq Ft | $1,860 |
Cheapest Available Santa Cruz Studio Apartments
As of July 11, 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 St. George Apartments starting at $2,200 . The average price for all Studio apartments in Santa Cruz is currently $3,163. 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 |
| St. George Apartments | Studio | $2,200 |
| The Breakers | The Breakers | $2,295 |
| Cypress Point | Residence 1 | $2,682 |
| River Row | S2 | $3,225 |
| Anton Pacific | Studio-1E | $3,303 |
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 $3,163.
What is the largest available Studio Santa Cruz Apartment for rent?
Today's apartment with the most square footage in Santa Cruz is a 704 square feet unit starting from $3,972 at Anton Pacific.
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.
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Written by: Robin Stewart
Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention
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There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

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Written by: Robin Stewart
Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.

Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.