155 Torrey Pine Ter
Santa CruzCA95060
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Central Santa Cruz Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA from $1,300 (31 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Central Santa Cruz area of Santa Cruz.
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$1,860 - $2,250Studio Apartments Available Now
The Palomar Inn
1344 Pacific AveSanta Cruz, CA 95060
235 Union St
Santa CruzCA95060
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$2,200Studio Apartments Available Now
St. George Apartments
833 Front StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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$2,295 - $3,695Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
The Breakers
630 Water StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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$2,358 - $3,795Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Five55
555 Pacific AveSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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$2,4001 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Lincoln Apartments
316-324 Lincoln StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much
Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.
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$2,479 - $2,9951 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
201 River Street Apartments
201 River StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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$2,682 - $4,253
Total Monthly Price
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available NowTotal Monthly Price
Base Rent
$2,682 - $4,253
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Cypress Point
101 Felix StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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$2,750 - $3,8451 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Hidden Creek Apartments
200 Button StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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$2,795 - $2,9951 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
1804 Mission St
1804 Mission StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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Rent Specials
$2,811 - $4,8221 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
1010 Pacific Apartments
1010 Pacific AveSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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$2,897 - $4,5491 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Chestnut Street
143 Chestnut StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
218 Alhambra Ave
Santa CruzCA95062
Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between
Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.
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Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments
307-309 Raymond St
307-309 Raymond StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments
Seabright Apartments
116 Seabright AveSanta Cruz, CA 95062
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments
Coronado Apartments
133 Morrissey BlvdSanta Cruz, CA 95062
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Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments
240 River Street
232-240 River StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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Studio Apartments
Seaside Studios
108 2nd StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments
Pacific View Courts
81 Front StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments
Ocean Street Apartments
813 E Cliff DrSanta Cruz, CA 95060
Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting
Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.
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Studio Apartments
516 Center St
516 Center StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
1104 E Cliff Dr
Santa CruzCA95062
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2 Bedroom Apartments
803 Laurel St
803 Laurel StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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2 Bedroom Apartments
317 Spruce St
317 Spruce StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments
Clay Residences
132 Clay StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments
108 Sycamore St
108 Sycamore StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments
San Lorenzo Apartments
120 San Lorenzo BlvdSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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.
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2 Bedroom Apartments
816 Riverside Ave
816 Riverside AveSanta Cruz, CA 95060
148 Reed Way
Santa CruzCA95060
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$2,785 - $3,6151 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Baytree Apartments
28 Mt Hermon RdScotts Valley, CA 95066
Showing Results 1-31, Page 1 of 1
Central Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide
Copyright CoStar Group, Inc
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 | $3,162 | $1,860 | $3,505 |
| Central Santa Cruz 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,403 | $2,400 | $4,278 |
| Central Santa Cruz 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,567 | $2,900 | $7,500 |
| Central Santa Cruz 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,615 | $3,615 | $3,615 |
Note: Properties with the Total Monthly Price badge include all required fees. Hover over the badge for details.
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 31 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
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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 The Palomar Inn priced from $1,860. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Palomar Inn | Palomar Inn -SRO | Studio,1BA | $1,860 |
| St. George Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,200 |
| The Breakers | The Breakers | Studio,1BA | $2,295 |
| Lincoln Apartments | 324 Lincoln Apartments | 1BR,1BA | $2,400 |
| Cypress Point | Residence 1 | Studio,1BA | $2,682 |
| Hidden Creek Apartments | 1 Bed Loft | 1BR,1BA | $2,750 |
| 1010 Pacific Apartments | Residence A1 | 1BR,1BA | $2,811 |
| 201 River Street Apartments | Featured One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,975 |
| 1804 Mission St | Standard Loft | 1BR,1BA | $2,995 |
| Baytree Apartments | 2/1 | 2BR,2BA | $3,185 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Central Santa Cruz, CA
As of July 05, 2026 the best value apartment in the Central Santa Cruz area is the $4.34 price per square foot Plan 2B Townhome Model at Chestnut Street in the in the Escolona neighborhood starting from $4,509. The second greatest value Central Santa Cruz apartment is the 2/1 Model at Baytree Apartments starting at $3,185 with a $3.10 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. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chestnut Street | Plan 2B Townhome | 2BR,1.5BA | $4.34 |
| Baytree Apartments | 2/1 | 2BR,2BA | $3.10 |
| 1804 Mission St | Standard Loft | 1BR,1.5BA | $3.63 |
| 150-152 Leibrandt Ave | 2-Bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $4.92 |
| Five55 | C1 | 1BR,1BA | $5.95 |
| 1010 Pacific Apartments | AT1 | 1BR,1BA | $5.52 |
| Anton Pacific | Studio-1E | Studio ,1BA | $5.76 |
| Lincoln Apartments | 324 Lincoln Apartments | 1BR,1BA | $5.00 |
| Hidden Creek Apartments | 1 Bed Loft | 1BR,1BA | $6.11 |
| Cypress Point | Residence 1 | Studio ,1BA | $6.10 |
Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.
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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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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.
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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.
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 $3,185.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Central Santa Cruz?
The cheapest apartment in Central Santa Cruz is Lincoln Apartments which is listed at $2,400, while the average apartment in Central Santa Cruz costs $4,269.
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.
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
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.
How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide
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.