504 Cliff St
Santa CruzCA95060
Cheap Homes for Rent in Santa Cruz, CA from $2,100 (6 Rentals)
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317 Clinton St
Santa CruzCA95062
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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.
318 Chestnut St
Santa CruzCA95060
320 Soquel Ave
Santa CruzCA95062
822 Eaton St
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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Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide
Santa Cruz Lighthouses and the Setting Sun by Anita Ritenour is licensed under CC BY 2.0
How much does it cost to rent a home in Santa Cruz?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz 2 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $4,542 | $3,600 | $8,500 |
| Santa Cruz 3 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $5,191 | $3,600 | $6,250 |
| Santa Cruz 4 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $6,900 | $6,800 | $7,000 |
| Santa Cruz 5 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $9,250 | $9,100 | $9,400 |
Browse Top Homes for Rent in Santa Cruz
Explore Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide
- Santa Cruz Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Santa Cruz, CA
Pricing Updated: 09/20/2025Current apartment rentals in the Santa Cruz, CA area range in price from $1,295 to $10,000 with an overall median price of $5,744. The three Santa Cruz neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Beach Hill at $2,209, Bananna Belt at $1,995, and Arana Gulch at $2,400. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Santa Cruz Apartments for rent:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach Hill | $3,635 | $2,209 | 11 |
| Bananna Belt | $4,343 | $1,995 | 21 |
| Arana Gulch | $4,595 | $2,400 | 11 |
| East Park | $4,595 | $2,395 | 17 |
| Western | $4,595 | $1,295 | 110 |
| West King Street | $4,595 | $1,875 | 61 |
| Prospect Heights | $4,850 | $2,400 | 3 |
| Lighthouse | $4,895 | $2,209 | 69 |
| Neary Lagoon | $4,895 | $1,875 | 82 |
| Beach Flats | $4,897 | $1,875 | 80 |
Cheapest Available Santa Cruz Apartments for Rent
The cheapest available apartment rental in Santa Cruz, CA is a Studio unit found at 516 Center St in the Escolona neighborhood priced from $1,995. St. George Apartments in the Downtown Santa Cruz neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $2,200. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Santa Cruz apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 516 Center St | 516 Center St | Studio,1BA | $1,995 |
| St. George Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $2,200 |
| Copa Cabanas | S1 | Studio,1BA | $2,550 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz, CA
As of September 20, 2025 the best value apartment in the 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 Santa Cruz apartment is the Plan 1 Model at Landing at Capitola starting at $3,475 with a $3.62 price per square foot in the Eastside neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for 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 |
| Landing at Capitola | Plan 1 | 2BR,2BA | $3.62 |
| Westmont Townhomes | 2 Beds, 1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $4.64 |
| 30th Ave Townhomes | 2x1.5 - Townhome | 2BR,1.5BA | $4.28 |
| 1804 Mission St | Larger Loft | 1BR,1.5BA | $3.72 |
| Pacific Shores | Mitchell`s Cove | 1BR,1BA | $4.03 |
| Cormorant Court Apartments | 2-Bedroom, 1-Bathroom | 2BR,1BA | $4.47 |
| Chestnut Street | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $4.46 |
| Cypress Point | Residence 2 | 1BR,1BA | $4.35 |
| Breakwater Apartments | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $4.80 |
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Best Local Schools in Santa Cruz, CA
De Laveaga Elementary
Santa Cruz City Elementary School District
Public School - Grades K-5 (488)
8 out of 10
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Santa Cruz, CA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Santa Cruz, CA
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Cruz
What type of rentals are currently available in Santa Cruz?
There are currently 385 Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz, CA with pricing that ranges from $1,995 to $8,000. There are also 34 Single Family Homes for rent, Condos, and Townhome rentals currently available in Santa Cruz ranging from $2,190 to $9,400.
What is the current price range for Rental Homes in Santa Cruz?
Today's rental pricing for Homes for Rent, Condos and Townhomes in Santa Cruz ranges from $2,190 to $9,400 with an average monthly rent of $5,148.
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.
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.
The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Hard truth. Moving is never easy. I’ve done it all – from local moves to cross-country relocations From packing to unpacking the last box, I have found moving to be an exhausting, expensive and stressful experience every time.