
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Central Santa Cruz Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA from $1,300 (14 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Central Santa Cruz area of Santa Cruz.


Pacific View Courts

115 Trinity St

Total Monthly Price
322 Market St, Unit B

201 River Street Apartments

St. George Apartments

The Breakers
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307-309 Raymond St

Seabright Apartments

Copa Cabanas

Coronado Apartments

240 River Street

Ocean Street Apartments

516 Center St
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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 | $2,948 | $1,995 | $3,400 |
| Central Santa Cruz 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,470 | $2,000 | $4,278 |
| Central Santa Cruz 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,960 | $2,600 | $7,500 |
| Central Santa Cruz 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,807 | $3,615 | $8,000 |
| Central Santa Cruz 4 Bedroom Apartments | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 14 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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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 Studio unit found at Seaside Studios priced from $1,875. Pacific View Courts has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,995. Here are the most affordable Central Santa Cruz apartments for rent in Santa Cruz, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seaside Studios | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,875 |
| Pacific View Courts | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,995 |
| 201 River Street Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,169 |
| St. George Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,200 |
| The Breakers | The Breakers | Studio,1BA | $2,295 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Central Santa Cruz, CA
As of February 19, 2026 the best value apartment in the Central Santa Cruz area is the $3.58 price per square foot 2BR-2BA Town House Model at Clay Residences in the in the Ocean Street neighborhood starting from $4,578. The second greatest value Central Santa Cruz apartment is the Standard Loft Model at 1804 Mission St starting at $3,350 with a $4.06 price per square foot in the Escolona 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. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Residences | 2BR-2BA Town House | 2BR,2BA | $3.58 |
| 1804 Mission St | Standard Loft | 1BR,1.5BA | $4.06 |
| Baytree Apartments | 1/1 | 1BR,1BA | $3.51 |
| Cormorant Court Apartments | 2-Bedroom, 1-Bathroom | 2BR,1BA | $4.43 |
| 714 Pine St, Unit #3 | 714 Pine St | 2BR,1BA | $3.71 |
| Chestnut Street | Plan 1A | 1BR,1BA | $4.35 |
| 150-152 Leibrandt Ave | 2-Bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $4.92 |
| Hidden Creek Apartments | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $5.14 |
| 322 Market St, Unit B | 322 Market St | Studio ,1BA | $4.66 |
| Pacific View Courts | Studio | Studio ,1BA | $4.69 |
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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.
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 $2,774.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Central Santa Cruz?
The cheapest apartment in Central Santa Cruz is 201 River Street Apartments which is listed at $2,479, while the average apartment in Central Santa Cruz costs $7,500.
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 11 regular apartments in Central Santa Cruz that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.
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

Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.

18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property
Written by: Lauren Harrington
Renting your next home can feel thrilling and overwhelming at the same time.

A Renters Guide for Tips on Writing Your Notice for Not Renewing Your Apartment
Written by: Bob Mallory
Packing up everything you own to move is so stressful for many that ending your apartment lease can feel like a small or unimportant task. Ending your lease involves more than simply turning over your keys on the last day.

Renting with Roommates: Realistic Expectations for Shared Lease
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Given the high costs for housing, I have found that many people are looking for a roommate to share expenses. These arrangements can increase opportunities for more desirable and larger spaces.