Nearby rentals
Renter hub
Property management
Filters
The average monthly rent in Santa Cruz is up 9.59% compared to last month but down 4.17% year-over-year.
Average rent
Track prices
Rent calculator
What can I afford?
All rentals
12h ago
Verified
1–2 beds
1–2 baths
$2,809–$3,867
Apartment for rent
1d ago
Verified
200 Button St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Garage parking | On-site laundry | Swimming pool
1–2 beds
1 bath
$2,000–$3,955
Apartment for rent
5h ago
Eastside house for rent in Santa Cruz
1 bed
1 bath
$2,900
House for rent
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
1 bath
$4,150
House for rent
45m ago
2 beds
2 baths
$4,500
Apartment for rent
1h ago
2 beds
2 baths
$2,650
Apartment for rent
2h ago
Eastside house for rent in Santa Cruz
113 Fairbanks St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
In-unit laundry | Air conditioning | Garage parking
2 beds
1.5 baths
$2,107
House for rent
Be the first to hear about new listings matching your search.
3h ago
2500 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95065
On-site laundry | Controlled access | Outdoor space
2 beds
1 bath
$3,381
Apartment for rent
6h ago
3 beds
1 bath
$3,650
Apartment for rent
In-Unit Laundry
Assigned Parking
Dishwasher
Outdoor Space
8h ago
1–3 beds
1–2 baths
$2,753–$4,661
Price drop
Apartment for rent
Available Apr 21
10h ago
1 bed
1 bath
$2,100
Price drop
Apartment for rent
12h ago
1 bed
1 bath
$2,700
Apartment for rent
13h ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
1 bath
$6,500
$5,500
Price drop
House for rent
14h ago
704 704 - 718 Broadway / 428 Ocean View, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Garage parking | On-site laundry | Assigned parking
1 bed
1 bath
$2,750
Apartment for rent
1d ago
2 beds
1 bath
$3,990
Apartment for rent
1d ago
1 bed
1 bath
$2,200
Apartment for rent
2d ago
Condo for rent in Santa Cruz
1 bed
1 bath
$2,000
Condo for rent
2d ago
2 beds
2 baths
$3,200
Apartment for rent
3d ago
620 Columbia St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
In-unit laundry | Garage parking | On-site laundry
2 beds
2 baths
$4,000
House for rent
Available Apr 1
3d ago
1240 Shaffer Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Garage parking | Assigned parking | Swimming pool
1–2 beds
1–2 baths
$3,595–$4,517
Apartment for rent
4d ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
3 beds
1.5 baths
$3,995
House for rent
4d ago
Westside house for rent in Santa Cruz
3 beds
1 bath
$4,600
House for rent
Available Jul 1
4d ago
Westside house for rent in Santa Cruz
3 beds
1 bath
$4,600
House for rent
Available Jun 24
4d ago
3 beds
2 baths
$4,100
Apartment for rent
4d ago
2 beds
2 baths
$5,200
Apartment for rent
4d ago
120 San Lorenzo Blvd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Garage parking | On-site laundry | Balcony
Studio–2 beds
1 bath
$1,925–$2,800
Apartment for rent
4d ago
Downtown Santa Cruz apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
In-unit laundry | On-site management | Business center
1 bed
1 bath
$2,495
Apartment for rent
Available May 6
4d ago
2 beds
1 bath
$2,795
Apartment for rent
4d ago
1 bed
1 bath
$2,445
Apartment for rent
4d ago
Westside house for rent in Santa Cruz
3 beds
2 baths
$4,450
House for rent
Available Apr 16
5d+ ago
Westside condo for rent in Santa Cruz
3 beds
2 baths
$6,075
Condo for rent
5d+ ago
1–2 beds
1 bath
$2,999 –$3,899
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
2 beds
1 bath
$3,250
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
Westside house for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
1 bath
$3,400
House for rent
5d+ ago
1 bed
1 bath
$2,950
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
631 41st Ave #2, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
In-unit laundry | Air conditioning | Assigned parking
2 beds
1 bath
$3,365
House for rent
5d+ ago
1 bed
1 bath
$2,595
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
2 beds
1 bath
$3,990
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
Eastside house for rent in Santa Cruz
1 bed
1 bath
$1,900
House for rent
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
2 baths
$4,600
House for rent
5d+ ago
Condo for rent in Santa Cruz
308 River St #C12, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
In-unit laundry | Garage parking | Balcony
2 beds
1 bath
$3,700
Condo for rent
Available Apr 10
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
4205 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
In-unit laundry | Storage | Dishwasher
1 bed
1 bath
$3,024
House for rent
5d+ ago
Eastside house for rent in Santa Cruz
4 beds
2.5 baths
$9,000
House for rent
5d+ ago
Apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
1 bath
$3,495
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
901 River St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
In-unit laundry | Garage parking | On-site laundry
1 bed
1.5 baths
$2,849
House for rent
5d+ ago
Condo for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
2 baths
$4,700
Condo for rent
5d+ ago
Condo for rent in Santa Cruz
202 Vista Prieta Ct, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
In-unit laundry | Air conditioning | Garage parking
1 bed
1 bath
$1,600
Condo for rent
5d+ ago
Westside condo for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
1 bath
$4,200
Condo for rent
Available Jun 15
5d+ ago
Eastside apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
In-unit laundry | Garage parking | Elevator
2 beds
2.5 baths
$3,700
Apartment for rent
Are you a rental professional?
21 rentals
52 rentals
32 rentals
22 rentals
28 rentals
79 rentals
35 rentals
700 rentals
196 rentals
21 rentals
Santa Cruz is Spanish for “holy cross”, and serves as the county seat of Santa Cruz County on the coastline of Northern California. Its on the north edge of Monterey Bay and includes gorgeous beaches and historic structures that attract both surfers and tourists to the area. Spanish settlers founded the city in 1791, establishing Mission Santa Cruz. The establishment of the mission led to significant settlement growth, although the town was notorious throughout Alta, California, due to its lawlessness.
Santa Cruz was incorporated as a city in the mid-19th century. In 1907, the city raised its beach boardwalk, which helped solidify it as a tourist destination. The University of California educational system built its Santa Cruz campus in 1965, which brought college students to the city. Approximately 63,000 people live in Santa Cruz, and thousands visit the beach community every year.
The presence of the University of California Santa Cruz has a significant influence on the economy. Many neighborhoods surrounding campus cater to college students, and the university is the city's top employer. Other industries that affect the economy include agriculture, technology, and tourism.
The downtown area is known for its unique atmosphere, boasting small shops, local eateries, and nightclubs. Many performers and musicians also work the streets, while Pacific Avenue features the work of local artists on display.
This beachfront city has something for everyone, including amusement rides on the boardwalk and annual festivals.
7
Santa Cruz, CA offers residents a blend of coastal charm and vibrant culture, with a strong emphasis on outdoor activities like surfing and hiking. Many appreciate the laid-back atmosphere, highlighting the nearby beaches and local parks as key benefits of living here. The downtown area is celebrated for its eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. However, some residents express concerns over the high cost of living and limited parking options, which can be frustrating for renters trying to navigate daily life. Overall, the balance of natural beauty and community engagement makes Santa Cruz a unique place to live, albeit with its challenges.
As of 2025, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz is $2,594, while a 2-bedroom apartment averages $3,628 per month.
Rents in Santa Cruz have generally decreased, with the average rent dropping by about 3%. Specifically, 1-bedroom rents decreased by 5%, and 2-bedroom rents dropped by 7%.
The best time to look for an apartment in Santa Cruz is in October or December when rents are lower and competition is less intense compared to the peak in April.
The best neighborhoods for renting in Santa Cruz include Beach Hill, Downtown Santa Cruz, Eastside, and Westside, known for their vibrant culture and community atmosphere.
For budget-conscious renters, the Eastside neighborhood is a great option, with 1-bedroom rents averaging 10% lower than the city median.
Yes, Santa Cruz has a good number of pet-friendly apartments, with about 42% of listings accommodating pets.
Utilities are included in approximately 30% of rental listings in Santa Cruz.
Zumper’s proprietary rental data fuels our analysis. Rent and market trends, availability, neighborhood popularity, and lifestyle scores are all calculated using real-time and 2024 rental inventory and prices.
Our Lifestyle Categories ("great for eco-living," "great for social life," "great for pet owners," etc.) are determined by set criteria, against which we score each listing and its available features. At the neighborhood level, we calculate the listing count for each category to determine which lifestyles best fit each area.
Zumper, founded in 2012, is North America’s largest privately-owned rental platform, offering over 1 million listings across the U.S. and Canada. Stay informed on the latest trends and shifts in the rental market with our monthly National Rent Report, your go-to resource for key insights into the evolving rental landscape.
| 🔑Available apartment rentals | 159 |
|---|---|
| 💰Best rent deal | 202 Vista Prieta Ct |
| ✨Popular amenities | , , |
| 🧦In-unit laundry | |
| 🍽With dishwasher | |
| 🏠With photos |