Cheap Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz County, CA from $600 (25 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Santa Cruz County.

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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Sparrow Terrace
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Sparrow Terrace

139-161 Miles LnWatsonville, CA 95076
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Garden Hill Apartments
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Garden Hill Apartments

31 Lassen WayWatsonville, CA 95076
  • Utilities Included
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Jefsen Apartments
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Jefsen Apartments

508 Main StWatsonville, CA 95076
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307-309 Raymond St
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

307-309 Raymond St

307-309 Raymond StSanta Cruz, CA 95060

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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Seabright Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Seabright Apartments

116 Seabright AveSanta Cruz, CA 95062
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The Terrace
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

The Terrace

445 Main StWatsonville, CA 95076
  • Utilities Included

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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Shearwater Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Shearwater Apartments

2333 Portola DrSanta Cruz, CA 95062
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Coronado Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Coronado Apartments

133 Morrissey BlvdSanta Cruz, CA 95062
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240 River Street
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

240 River Street

232-240 River StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
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Seaside Studios
Studio Apartments

Seaside Studios

108 2nd StSanta 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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Showing Results 1-25, Page 1 of 1

Cheapest Available Santa Cruz County Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Santa Cruz County, CA is a Studio unit found at The Palomar Inn in the Downtown Santa Cruz neighborhood priced from $1,860. 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 County apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Palomar InnPalomar Inn -SROStudio,1BA$1,860
St. George ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$2,200
The BreakersThe BreakersStudio,1BA$2,295
Six Hundred Park Avenue1 Bedroom 1 Bath - 694801BR,1BA$2,350
832-834 Paget Ave2 Beds, 1 Baths2BR,1BA$2,695

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz County, CA

As of July 16, 2026 the best value apartment in the Santa Cruz County 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 Santa Cruz County apartment is the Plan 1 Model at Landing at Capitola starting at $3,602 with a $3.75 price per square foot in the Eastside neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Santa Cruz County apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Baytree Apartments2/12BR,2BA$3.10
Landing at CapitolaPlan 12BR,1.5BA$3.75
130 Grove St, Unit A130 Grove St2BR,2BA$3.19
Westmont Townhomes2 Beds, 1 bath2BR,1BA$4.64
Emerald Bay ApartmentsTwo Bedroom2BR,1BA$3.98
1804 Mission StStandard Loft1BR,1.5BA$3.82
Pacific ShoresMitchell`s Cove1BR,1BA$4.38
Chestnut StreetPlan 1A1BR,1BA$4.52
Six Hundred Park Avenue1 Bedroom 1 Bath - 694801BR,1BA$3.77
8003 Harvard Dr, Unit Freshly renovated apartment8003 Harvard Dr1BR,1BA$4.42

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Santa Cruz County Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Santa Cruz County?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Santa Cruz County is under $2,839.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Santa Cruz County?

The cheapest apartment in Santa Cruz County is Six Hundred Park Avenue which is listed at $2,350, while the average apartment in Santa Cruz County costs $7,085.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Santa Cruz County?

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 37 regular apartments in Santa Cruz County 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

decorative image for Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It article

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.

decorative image for Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention article

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.

decorative image for How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide article

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.

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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.