
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Central Santa Cruz Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA from $1,300 (10 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Central Santa Cruz area of Santa Cruz.


The Breakers

605 Seabright Ave
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 | $2,571 | $1,875 | $3,200 |
| Central Santa Cruz 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,221 | $2,300 | $4,278 |
| Central Santa Cruz 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,441 | $2,725 | $6,122 |
| Central Santa Cruz 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,971 | $3,300 | $8,000 |
| Central Santa Cruz 4 Bedroom Apartments | $8,200 | $8,200 | $8,200 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 10 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 $2,035. St. George Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $2,200. 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 | $2,035 |
| St. George Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,200 |
| The Breakers | The Breakers | Studio,1BA | $2,250 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Central Santa Cruz, CA
As of November 16, 2025 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 D Model at Baytree Apartments starting at $2,985 with a $2.90 price per square foot in the Western 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 |
| Baytree Apartments | D | 2BR,2BA | $2.90 |
| Chestnut Street | 2 Bed 1 Bath | 2BR,1BA | $4.17 |
| 1804 Mission St | Larger Loft | 1BR,1.5BA | $3.72 |
| 1010 Pacific Apartments | Residence B1 | 2BR,2BA | $5.08 |
| Anton Pacific | 1 Bed/1 Bath-11A | 1BR,1BA | $4.78 |
| 714 Pine St, Unit #3 | 714 Pine St | 2BR,1BA | $3.89 |
| 150-152 Leibrandt Ave | 2-Bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $5.38 |
| Five55 | C1 | 1BR,1BA | $5.32 |
| 220 Atlantic Ave, Unit # 205 | 220 Atlantic Ave | Studio ,1BA | $5.43 |
Quick Rent Budget Calculator
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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®
81 / 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 $2,985.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Central Santa Cruz?
The cheapest apartment in Central Santa Cruz is The Breakers which is listed at $2,650, while the average apartment in Central Santa Cruz costs $8,200.
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 19 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
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.

Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Back in the day when I rented one of my first apartments, the property didn’t even have laundry in the building. Now, rental properties are often competing against each other to provide the best amenities.

How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Everything is a negotiation in real estate!

The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters
Written by: Trey Huguley
The move-in inspection checklist is a crucial tool for both tenants and landlords. This checklist, provided by the team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com, helps document the condition of an apartment at the time of move-in.

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
For many people, obstacles can arise during the rental application process for a variety of issues.






