
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Eastside Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA from $1,300 (38 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Eastside area of Santa Cruz.


The Breakers

Total Monthly Price
3150 Stanley Ave, Unit 2

522 Barson St

832 Paget Ave

Hidden Creek Apartments

Emerald Bay Apartments

218 Alhambra Ave

1803 Harper St
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.

150-152 Leibrandt Ave

2308 17th Ave

126 Pine St

Total Monthly Price
311 Cypress Ave, Unit Cypress Avenue

307-309 Raymond St

Seabright Apartments

Harbor Walk at Swan Lake

Shearwater Apartments

Coronado Apartments
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.

Granava Garden Apartments

Seaside Studios

Ocean Street Apartments

Corcoran Gardens Apartments

Creekside Apartments

816 Riverside Ave

Clay Residences

Breakwater Apartments

Cormorant Court Apartments
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.

755 14th Ave

713 Frederick St

Six Hundred Park Avenue

Plum Street Garden Apartments

620 Center St

870 Park Ave

Total Monthly Price
Capitola Gardens

1405 45th Ave

1925 46th Ave
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 Bluffs on 44th

815 Balboa Ave
Eastside, Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Eastside?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastside Studio Apartments | $2,445 | $2,295 | $2,695 |
| Eastside 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,211 | $2,350 | $8,900 |
| Eastside 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,144 | $2,665 | $9,500 |
| Eastside 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,396 | $3,000 | $10,000+ |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 38 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Eastside Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA.
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Eastside, Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide
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Cheapest Available Eastside Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Eastside area of Santa Cruz, CA is a Studio unit found at The Breakers priced from $2,295. Six Hundred Park Avenue has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,330. Here are the most affordable Eastside apartments for rent in Santa Cruz, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Breakers | The Breakers | Studio,1BA | $2,295 |
| Six Hundred Park Avenue | 1 Bedroom 1 Bath - 69480 | 1BR,1BA | $2,330 |
| Plum Street Garden Apartments | Plum Street - Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,395 |
| Hidden Creek Apartments | 1 Bed Loft | 1BR,1BA | $2,699 |
| Capitola Gardens | Medium 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $3,084 |
| 150-152 Leibrandt Ave | 2-Bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $3,200 |
| Emerald Bay Apartments | Three Bedroom | 3BR,1BA | $3,933 |
| Breakwater Apartments | C1 | 3BR,2BA | $4,362 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Eastside, CA
As of June 22, 2026 the best value apartment in the Eastside area is the $3.82 price per square foot Three Bedroom Model at Emerald Bay Apartments in the in the Eastside neighborhood starting from $3,933. The second greatest value Eastside apartment is the C1 Model at Breakwater Apartments starting at $4,362 with a $4.57 price per square foot in the Arana Gulch neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Eastside apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Bay Apartments | Three Bedroom | 3BR,1.5BA | $3.82 |
| Breakwater Apartments | C1 | 3BR,2BA | $4.57 |
| Six Hundred Park Avenue | 1 Bedroom 1 Bath - 69480 | 1BR,1BA | $3.51 |
| 150-152 Leibrandt Ave | 2-Bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $4.92 |
| Capitola Gardens | Medium 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $5.24 |
| Hidden Creek Apartments | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $6.01 |
| 3300 Portola Dr, Unit # 20 | 3300 Portola Dr | 1BR,1BA | $5.27 |
| 3150 Stanley Ave, Unit 2 | 3150 Stanley Ave | 1BR,1BA | $5.33 |
| Plum Street Garden Apartments | Plum Street - Studio | Studio ,1BA | $6.37 |
| The Breakers | The Shoreline | 1BR,1BA | $7.68 |
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.
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.
Best Local Schools in Eastside, Santa Cruz, CA
School data provided by Great Schools
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Eastside Apartments
How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom Eastside Apartment?
The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom Eastside Apartment is $2,330 at Six Hundred Park Avenue.
What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom Eastside Apartment for rent?
Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in Eastside is starting from $2,730 at Six Hundred Park Avenue.
What is the most affordable Eastside Three Bedroom Apartment?
The best deal on a cheap Eastside Three Bedroom Apartment rental is at Emerald Bay Apartments and starts from $3,933.
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

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.

Creative Ways Developers Reimagine Retail Spaces as Residential Units
Written by: Robin Stewart
Adaptive reuse is when a commercial property is converted and repurposed. The real estate industry has embraced a growing number of these projects.