Cheap Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz County, CA from $600 (24 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Santa Cruz County.

1 Pine Ave

6500 CA-9

13129-13129 Hazel Ave

22 Western Dr

5420 Hwy 9
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Santa Cruz County, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Santa Cruz County?
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Santa Cruz County Studio Apartments | $2,396 | $800 | $3,775 |
Santa Cruz County 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,240 | $1,900 | $8,900 |
Santa Cruz County 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,684 | $2,900 | $9,500 |
Santa Cruz County 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,057 | $3,000 | $10,000+ |
Santa Cruz County 4 Bedroom Apartments | $4,100 | $4,100 | $4,100 |
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Cheapest Available Santa Cruz County Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in Santa Cruz County, 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 County 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 |
Six Hundred Park Avenue | Non-remodeled 1 bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,250 |
Copa Cabanas | S1 | Studio,1BA | $2,550 |
Hidden Creek Apartments | 1 Bed Loft | 1BR,1BA | $2,599 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz County, CA
As of September 20, 2025 the best value apartment in the Santa Cruz County 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 County apartment is the 3BR/1.0BA Model at 113 - 119 Gonda Street starting at $3,000 with a $2.88 price per square foot in the Elkhorn Pajaro neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Santa Cruz County 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 |
113 - 119 Gonda Street | 3BR/1.0BA | 3BR,1BA | $2.88 |
Baytree Apartments | D | 2BR,2BA | $2.90 |
Landing at Capitola | Plan 1 | 2BR,2BA | $3.62 |
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 |
Six Hundred Park Avenue | Remodeled 2 bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $4.00 |
314 Hillcrest Dr, Unit 314 Hillcrest Drive | 314 Hillcrest Dr | 1BR,1BA | $3.46 |
Cypress Point | Residence 2 | 1BR,1BA | $4.35 |
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 $2,700.
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 $2,250, while the average apartment in Santa Cruz County costs $4,595.
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 12 regular apartments in Santa Cruz County that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.
How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Santa Cruz County?
Cheap apartments in Santa Cruz County have an average cost of $263 which is $4,332 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Santa Cruz County.
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.
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