
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Western Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA from $1,800 (25 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Western area of Santa Cruz.


228 John St

The Palomar Inn

235 Union St

St. George Apartments

201 River Street Apartments
Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

306 Cliff St

Hidden Creek Apartments

Total Monthly Price
Cypress Point

1010 Pacific Apartments

240 River Street

Pacific View Courts
Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

116 Sycamore St

516 Center St

803 Laurel St

Lincoln Apartments

317 Spruce St

108 Sycamore St
How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide
Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

Copa Cabanas

2030 N Pacific Ave

1 Pine Ave

4497 Highway 9, Unit #A

Total Monthly Price
7354 Highway 9, Unit Sunny One Bed One Bath

5580 Washington Wy
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.

Baytree Apartments
Western, Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Western?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Studio Apartments | $3,104 | $1,800 | $3,475 |
| Western 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,407 | $2,375 | $4,278 |
| Western 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,603 | $2,700 | $7,568 |
| Western 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,736 | $3,615 | $6,095 |
| Western 4 Bedroom Apartments | $7,550 | $7,100 | $8,000 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 25 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Western Neighborhood of Santa Cruz, CA.
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Western, Santa Cruz, CA Local Guide
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Cheapest Available Western Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Western 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 Western 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 |
| Cypress Point | Residence 1 | Studio,1BA | $2,802 |
| Copa Cabanas | A1-R | 1BR,1BA | $2,850 |
| 1010 Pacific Apartments | AT1 | 1BR,1BA | $2,899 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Western, CA
As of July 29, 2026 the best value apartment in the Western area is the $3.10 price per square foot 2/1 Model at Baytree Apartments in the in the Western neighborhood starting from $3,185. The second greatest value Western apartment is the B4 Model at Oceanview starting at $5,295 with a $5.57 price per square foot in the Western neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Western apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baytree Apartments | 2/1 | 2BR,2BA | $3.10 |
| Oceanview | B4 | 2BR,2BA | $5.57 |
| 130 Grove St | 130 Grove St | 2BR,2BA | $3.24 |
| Westmont Townhomes | 2 Beds, 1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $4.64 |
| 1804 Mission St | Standard Loft | 1BR,1.5BA | $3.82 |
| Pacific Shores | Mitchell`s Cove | 1BR,1BA | $4.42 |
| Chestnut Street | Plan 1A | 1BR,1BA | $4.58 |
| Copa Cabanas | A1-R | 1BR,1BA | $4.55 |
| Anton Pacific | Studio-1E | Studio ,1BA | $5.82 |
| 1010 Pacific Apartments | Residence A1 | 1BR,1BA | $5.41 |
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.
Pet Friendly LifestyleWestern, Santa Cruz, CA
Ranked #1
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
4.0Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Western, Santa Cruz, CA
Westlake Elementary
School data provided by Great Schools
Lifestyle Ratings
ApartmentHomeLiving brings you Lifestyle Ratings of rentals in areas across the United States including Western, Santa Cruz, and the greater Santa Cruz area. LifeStyle Ratings are a useful tool for comparing and sorting apartments and neighborhoods when choosing your rental home. This takes in many factors including our Star Ratings to compare for convenient access to the outdoors, luxury amenities, pet-friendly features, places that make kids happy, proximity to transit, and more. Find Lifestyle Search in the filter options (above). Happy Searching!
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Western Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Western?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Western is under $2,995.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Western?
The cheapest apartment in Western is Copa Cabanas which is listed at $2,850, while the average apartment in Western costs $7,550.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Western?
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 20 regular apartments in Western 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

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Written by: Robin Stewart
The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

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.