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Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz, CA
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Average rent in Santa Cruz, CA

$3,334/mo Santa Cruz, CA average rental price, October 2022
Image Average Rent

The average monthly rent of apartments in Santa Cruz, CA is $3,334.

    Santa Cruz, CA apartment rent ranges

    Santa Cruz, CA rent trends

    Check out the average rent prices in Santa Cruz by neighborhood.

    Compared to the national average rent of $1,727, the average rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $3,334.

    Getting around in Santa Cruz, CA

    36 /100
    Car-Dependent
    31 /100
    Some Transit
    49 /100
    Somewhat Bikeable
    Walk Score®: 36, Transit Score®: 31, Bike Score®: 49

    Frequently asked questions

    When were prices and availability in Santa Cruz, CA last updated?

    Prices and availability in Santa Cruz, CA were last updated on 27 Jan 2023.

    What are the best apartments in Santa Cruz, CA?

    The best apartments in Santa Cruz, CA are: Hidden Creek Apartments, The Sands, San Lorenzo Apartments, Cormorant Court Apartments and Five55.

    What is the average rent in Santa Cruz, CA?

    The average rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $3,334. Start your search for apartments in Santa Cruz, CA now.

    What is the price range for a studio apartment in Santa Cruz, CA?

    The price range for a studio apartment in Santa Cruz, CA is between $2,250 and $3,587. View all studio apartments in Santa Cruz, CA.

    What is the price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz, CA?

    The price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz, CA is between $2,250 and $3,660. Browse all available 1-bedroom apartments in Santa Cruz, CA now.

    What is the price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz, CA?

    The price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz, CA is between $2,250 and $3,896. Browse and find a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz, CA.

    What type of rental buildings are in Santa Cruz, CA?

    In Santa Cruz 54% of the housing is rented out compared to 46% of homes are owned, according to the most recent Census Bureau estimates. 12% of Santa Cruz’s apartments are found in large buildings of 50 units or more, 51% are located in smaller apartment complexes with less than 50 units, and 35% are single-family rentals.

    What do typical apartment communities look like in Santa Cruz, CA?

    The age and size of multifamily buildings are among the most visible characteristics of the rental market in a city.  In this case, the apartment buildings in Santa Cruz are about 37 years old, on average. Of these, 27% have been built since 2000, representing the newer options on the market and typically offering more amenities. Rental buildings in the city have an average height of 3 stories. About 89% of the rental communities here are low-rise, garden-style communities, 11% are mid-rises, and none are high-rise buildings. These are true especially for large-scale multifamily buildings with over 50 apartments.

    What apartment floorplans are common in Santa Cruz, CA?

    Rental apartments in Santa Cruz come in a range of sizes and floorplans. Studio apartments represent 11% of units for rent, ideal for singles, renters on a budget and people who value central locations more than space. Rentals with 1-bedroom floorplans make up 47% of the total apartments in the city, while 2-bedroom floorplans represent around 33% of all rentals in Santa Cruz. The rest are larger floorplans with 3 bedrooms or more, typically preferred by families, larger households or roommates sharing space.

    Living in Santa Cruz, CA

    Surrounded by San Jose, Monterey Bay, and San Francisco, Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz County, CA. It stands out with its high-quality public schools, bustling nightlife, gorgeous beaches, and perfect weather all year round. Santa Cruz is the largest in its county and is home to the famous Boardwalk Beach. The climate in Santa Cruz is Mediterranean, featuring mild weather generally, so the city sees up to 250 days of sunlight in a year. The average temperature is 57.2°F, with wet winters and warm summers. Santa Cruz is safer than most California cities, which makes it an ideal renting spot for families with children and people who want to be closer to the Pacific Ocean and enjoy alternative community lifestyles. Santa Cruz is known for various watersports like surfing, sailing, swimming, and many more.

    Renting in Santa Cruz, CA

    Santa Cruz is a great place to rent for many families and young professionals due to the city’s top-notch public schools, parks, clubs, bars, restaurants and the proximity to the ocean. The neighborhoods are urban-suburban, and most people rent their homes. Among the 19 neighborhoods in Santa Cruz, the central parts of the city and beach area are the most coveted, while the northwest area is the most affordable to live in. The most walkable neighborhoods are Downtown, East Side, and Beach Hill, and most areas are bikeable. You will need to sign a lease agreement to rent an apartment or a house in Santa Cruz. In most cases it’s the renter, not the landlord, who does minor repairs. The landlord can only evict if the renter violated the lease or did not pay rent. In Santa Cruz, landlords are required to give a minimum of 90 days’ written notice of the termination of the year-to-year lease agreement.

    Things for renting

    Santa Cruz, CA demographics

    Santa Cruz, CA has a population of 65,011 according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. 32,888 of Santa Cruz’s residents are women and 32,123 are men. The median age of those who live in Santa Cruz, CA is 28.1.

    Shopping in Santa Cruz, CA

    Santa Cruz has a multitude of options for shopping, ranging from grocery, bookstores and jewelry shops to art galleries, bridal shops and surfing shops. Some of the top shopping centers include Santa Cruz Flea Market, Pacific Garden Mall, Bohemian Boutique, Pacific Wave Surf Shop, Moon Zoom and Stripe & Stripe Men. Major department stores include Target, Marshalls, Hope Depot, Ross Stores and California Mini Splits. Downtown Santa Cruz is dotted with restaurants, shops, bars, live music venues, fine dining, and offers an active nightlife. This area is not far from the beach, so there are a lot of places to shop. When buying groceries, stores like New Leaf Market, Shopper’s Corner, Food Bin and Herb Room, and Lotus Asian Market are the most popular among renters.

    Santa Cruz, CA households

    • 10,694 Family
      11,950 Non-family
    • 4,859 Children
      17,785 No Children
    • 22,644Total Number of Households
    • 2.41Average People Per Household
    • $86,618Median Household Income

    According to U.S. Census data, there are 22,644 households in Santa Cruz, CA. 10,694 are family households and 11,950 are non-family households. There are 4,859 households with children in Santa Cruz and 17,785 households without children. On average, about 2.41 people live in a household in Santa Cruz, CA.

    Transportation in Santa Cruz, CA

    Santa Cruz is very walkable and bikeable, but renters can also use public transportation such as buses provided by the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District. There is also a wide network of trains, subways, and trolleys for people who live here. For renters who prefer a more convenient transportation method, taxis are also available in this city, while airport shuttles are a good option for travelers. Plus, ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft or limo rentals are an alternative way of getting around the city. The closest airport is the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, situated 32 miles away from downtown Santa Cruz. The Watsonville Municipal Airport is located in the county, roughly 16 miles east of Santa Cruz.

    Santa Cruz, CA education statistics

    The level of education of the population of Santa Cruz, CA is as follows: 2% have no high school education, 21% completed some high school, 22% partially completed college, 8% have an Associate Degree, 26% have a Bachelor Degree, and 20% have a Graduate Degree.

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    RentCafe is your one-stop shop for finding a great new apartment in Santa Cruz, CA. Easily search through a wide selection of apartments for rent in Santa Cruz, CA, and view detailed information about available rentals including floor plans, pricing, photos, amenities, interactive maps, and thorough property descriptions. Property owners and managers are one click away, so feel free to contact them and find out all you need to know about the apartment you’re interested in. Browse Santa Cruz, CA apartments with rents starting from $2,250 and submit your rental application today!

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