
Apartments for Rent in the Central Santa Cruz Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA (276 Rentals)


River Row

St. George Apartments

NANDA ON PACIFIC

Five55

The Breakers

1010 Pacific

1804 Mission St

Total Monthly Price
Cypress Point

Pacific Station South
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.

Lincoln Apartments

201 River Street Apartments

Chestnut Street

306 Cliff St

235 Union St

Total Monthly Price
1015 N Branciforte Ave, Unit # B

219 Roberts St

320 Myrtle St, Unit A

155 Felker St, Unit 20

912 Soquel Ave
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.

101 Green St

79 S Branciforte Ave

103 Jacobs Ln

318 Laurel St

210 Locust St

116 Maple St

514 Broadway

1546 Broadway

135 May Ave

131 Sutphen St
Neighborhood & Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent
Master your search for the perfect apartment. Location is everything. Discover how to leverage community insights, public data, and personal visits to make a fully informed decision about where to rent.

850 Branciforte Dr

121 Coulson Ave

126 Hunolt St

135 Market St

308 River St

250 River St

116 S Morrissey Ave

180 Dakota Ave

508 Caledonia St

320 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.

204 Roosevelt Terrace

116 Sycamore St

124 Torrey Pine Terrace

203 Seaview Ave

156 Everson Dr

204 Castillion Terrace

308 Cypress Ave

Baytree Apartments

2030 N Pacific Ave

Modular Condo Project
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.
Central Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Central Santa Cruz?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Santa Cruz Studio Apartments | $3,074 | $2,200 | $3,475 |
| Central Santa Cruz 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,251 | $1,695 | $4,278 |
| Central Santa Cruz 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,582 | $2,999 | $7,500 |
| Central Santa Cruz 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,227 | $3,495 | $4,950 |
How much does it cost to rent a home in Central Santa Cruz?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Bedroom Homes | $3,889 | $3,200 | $4,895 |
| 3 Bedroom Homes | $5,239 | $4,200 | $7,400 |
| 4 Bedroom Homes | $7,900 | $7,900 | $7,900 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 276 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Central Santa Cruz Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA.
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Central Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide
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A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back
Learn the property manager's true secrets to a zero-deduction move-out. Use this step-by-step guide on documentation, cleaning, and lease-reading to reclaim your security deposit.
Read Article18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property
Tour smarter and choose with confidence. Get the essential 18 questions that reveal the truth about a rental property's maintenance, utilities, and safety.
Read ArticleReal 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.
Read ArticleQuick 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.
Lifestyle Ratings
ApartmentHomeLiving brings you our detailed rental search system called 'Lifestyle ratings', composed of neighborhoods, areas, and rental properties across California and customized analysis for Santa Cruz, California. LifeStyle Ratings are the best way to sort through finding a place to live - beyond price and floorplan. This takes in many factors including filtering automatically for the best proximity to parks and outdoor amenities, luxury housing options, kid and pet-friendly communities, availability of transit options, in addition to floorplans, availablity, and pricing. Find Lifestyle Search in the filter options (above). Happy Searching!
Family-Friendly Rating
When renting for a family with a son or daughter (or both!), location matters. Amongst all of the communities in Santa Cruz, Central Santa Cruz has emerged as one of our preferred communities for families, with a score of 4.0 out of 4. Family Friendly neighborhoods have features that support parents and kids in having fun and being healthy together. These features include things like green spaces, trails and recreation, and having the best-regarded education and schools available.
Pet Friendly Rating
Have furry friends? This area has now become known as amongst the finest communities for pet owners who rent, with a score of 4.0 out of 4.
Frequently Asked Questions about Central Santa Cruz
What is the current pricing and availability for apartments for rent in the Central Santa Cruz area of Santa Cruz, CA?
As of today, August 20, 2026, there are currently 276 available Central Santa Cruz apartments priced from $1,695 to $7,500, with an average monthly rent of $3,560.
How much are Studio apartments in Central Santa Cruz?
There are currently 104 Studio Apartments in Central Santa Cruz with rent ranges from $2,200 to $3,475 with an average price of $3,074.
What is the current price range for One Bedroom Central Santa Cruz Apartments for rent?
Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in Central Santa Cruz ranges from $1,695 to $4,278 with an average monthly rent of $3,251.
What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in Central Santa Cruz cost?
The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Central Santa Cruz range from $2,999 to $7,500. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $4,582.
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

Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags
Written by: Robin Stewart
Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently
Written by: Robin Stewart
Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
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
Written by: Robin Stewart
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.