
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Central Santa Cruz Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA from $1,300 (12 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Central Santa Cruz area of Santa Cruz.


Five55
Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls
When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.
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.
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 | $2,919 | $1,850 | $4,020 |
Central Santa Cruz 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,448 | $2,550 | $5,095 |
Central Santa Cruz 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,889 | $3,185 | $6,100 |
Central Santa Cruz 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,966 | $4,950 | $8,000 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 12 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Central Santa Cruz Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA.
See all Apartments in Santa CruzExplore Santa Cruz
Central Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide
- Nearby Santa Cruz neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Available Central Santa Cruz Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Central Santa Cruz area of Santa Cruz, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Copa Cabanas priced from $1,602. Pacific View Courts has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,850. Here are the most affordable Central Santa Cruz apartments for rent in Santa Cruz, CA:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
---|---|---|---|
Copa Cabanas | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $1,602 |
Pacific View Courts | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,850 |
St. George Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,200 |
The Breakers | The Shoreline | 1BR,1BA | $2,650 |
Hidden Creek Apartments | 1 Bed Loft | 1BR,1BA | $2,700 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Central Santa Cruz, CA
As of June 20, 2025 the best value apartment in the Central Santa Cruz area is the $2.90 price per square foot D Model at Baytree Apartments in the in the Western neighborhood starting from $2,985. The second greatest value Central Santa Cruz apartment is the 152 C Model at 152 C Leibrandt Ave 3 Bed/2 Bath starting at $4,750 with a $5.28 price per square foot in the Ocean Street neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Central Santa Cruz apartments based on price per square foot:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
---|---|---|---|
Baytree Apartments | D | 2BR,2BA | $2.90 |
152 C Leibrandt Ave 3 Bed/2 Bath | 152 C | 3BR,2BA | $5.28 |
Cypress Point | Residence 3 | 2BR,1BA | $4.90 |
NANDA ON PACIFIC | 1 Bed 1 Bath D | 1BR,1BA | $5.16 |
Chestnut Street | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $4.48 |
Five55 | C1 | 1BR,1BA | $5.98 |
Copa Cabanas | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $2.56 |
Anton Pacific | Studio-1E | Studio ,1BA | $5.87 |
Hidden Creek Apartments | 1 Bed Loft | 1BR,1BA | $6.00 |
The Breakers | The Shoreline | 1BR,1BA | $7.68 |
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.
Lifestyle Ratings
ApartmentHomeLiving brings you comprehensive Lifestyle Ratings of rentals in cities across the United States and customized analysis for Central Santa Cruz. Lifestyle Ratings show you the best fit for your needs and interests. This takes in many factors including rankings of the best places for the best proximity to parks and outdoor amenities, luxury amenities, transit availability, pet-friendly communities, features that make it easier to raise kids, in addition to floorplans, availablity, and pricing. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.
Getting Around the Central Santa Cruz Neighborhood in Santa Cruz, CA
Walk Score®
65 / 100
Somewhat Walkable
Some errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
82 / 100
Very Bikeable
Biking is convenient for most trips
Transit Score®
33 / 100
Some Transit
A few nearby public transportation options
What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?
- Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
- Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
- Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Central Santa Cruz Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Central Santa Cruz?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Central Santa Cruz is under $3,752.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Central Santa Cruz?
The cheapest apartment in Central Santa Cruz is Copa Cabanas which is listed at $1,602, while the average apartment in Central Santa Cruz costs $5,005.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Central Santa Cruz?
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 4 regular apartments in Central Santa Cruz that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.
How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Central Santa Cruz?
Cheap apartments in Central Santa Cruz have an average cost of $330 which is $4,675 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Central Santa Cruz.
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.

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls
Written by: Cheryl Bowman
A fantastic way to save money and enjoy a built-in community is to share an apartment. However, a bad roommate situation can turn your dream rental into a nightmare.

The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour
Written by: Marie Brown
You’ve scrolled through countless listings, walked through a blur of rentals, and finally found what feels like the one. The pictures? Fantastic. The neighborhood seems just right.

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.