Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz, CA - Rated by Verified Residents

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Apartments in Downtown Santa Cruz $3,466
Apartments in Beach Hill-Neary Lagoon $3,251

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Average rent in Santa Cruz, CA

$3,623/mo Santa Cruz, CA average rental price, April 2025

The average monthly rent of apartments in Santa Cruz, CA is $3,623.

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 $1,736, the average rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $3,623.

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 19 May 2025.

What are the best apartments in Santa Cruz, CA?

The best apartments in Santa Cruz, CA are: Hidden Creek Apartments, San Lorenzo Apartments, Cypress Point, Pacific View Courts and The Sands.

What is the average rent in Santa Cruz, CA?

The average rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $3,551.

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 $1,580 and $2,879.

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 $1,580 and $3,960.

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 $1,580 and $4,537.

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

In Santa Cruz, 52% of the residents are renting compared to 48% owning a home, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Large-scale apartment buildings with more than 50 units represent 13% of Santa Cruz’s rentals, 55% are small-scale complexes with under 50 units, and 31% 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 36 years old, on average. Of these, 31% 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 94% of the rental communities here are low-rise, garden-style communities, 10% 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?

Studio apartments in Santa Cruz are around 11% of rentals, while 1-bedroom floor plans represent 45% of the total stock. For those in search of larger rentals, 2-bedroom floorplans make up 35% of all rentals. More generous apartments with 3 bedrooms or more are also available in this city for those in search of more 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.

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.

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.

Look for apartments near me

Are you looking to land that one apartment near you that ticks all the boxes? Now you can browse through available RentCafe apartment listings in your area, rated and reviewed by verified residents. Comparing the size, price, amenities and location of apartments for rent near you is easier than ever. Do you feel like expanding the search beyond your neighborhood and ZIP code? Browse apartments for rent in your city and state to find the best fit, wherever you are in the U.S. Somewhere out there is the perfect apartment just waiting for you.

Whether you're looking for a studio, an apartment with one or more bedrooms, or maybe you're upgrading to a luxury apartment or need to acommodate a pet, RentCafe allows you to easily search for a rental near you based on your criteria, anywhere in the U.S. So, let's find your new home today!

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 $1,580 and submit your rental application today!

Finding a home nearby is easier than you think. Check out our Apartments Near Me page and take your pick!

1 BED	$2,750+
2 BEDS	$3,905

STUDIO	Ask for Pricing
1 BED	Ask for Pricing
2 BEDS	Ask for Pricing

STUDIO	$2,447+
1 BED	$2,741+
2 BEDS	$3,781+

STUDIO	Ask for Pricing
1 BED	Ask for Pricing
2 BEDS	Ask for Pricing

1 BED	Ask for Pricing
2 BEDS	$3,610+

1 BED	Call for pricing
2 BEDS	Call for pricing
3 BEDS	Call for pricing

STUDIO	$2,000+
1 BED	$2,375
2 BEDS	$2,900

1 BED	$2,300
2 BEDS	$3,150

1 BED	$2,495
2 BEDS	$3,195

Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz, CA 57 Rentals Available

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