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The average monthly rent in Santa Cruz is flat compared to last month but down 1.47% year-over-year.
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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
4d ago
1 bed
1 bath
$2,900
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
Eastside apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
1 bath
$3,600
Apartment for rent
Available Sep 1
1d ago
Verified
1–2 beds
1–2 baths
$2,649–$3,917
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
Eastside house for rent in Santa Cruz
1 bed
1 bath
$2,500
House for rent
16m ago
Eastside apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
In-unit laundry | On-site management | Business center
1 bed
1 bath
$2,450
$2,350
Price drop
Apartment for rent
Available Mar 21
1h ago
2 beds
2 baths
$5,200
Apartment for rent
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2h ago
1 bed
1 bath
$2,200
Price drop
Apartment for rent
2h ago
Eastside apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
1 bath
$4,500
$4,295
Price drop
Apartment for rent
Dishwasher
Outdoor Space
Assigned Parking
In-Unit Laundry
14h ago
2 beds
2 baths
$2,949
Apartment for rent
19h ago
120 San Lorenzo Blvd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Garage parking | On-site laundry | Balcony
Studio–2 beds
1 bath
$1,925–$2,600
Apartment for rent
20h ago
Eastside house for rent in Santa Cruz
15 Josefa Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Garage parking | Fireplace | Carpet
3 beds
2.5 baths
$4,850
House for rent
21h ago
2 beds
1 bath
$2,600
Apartment for rent
21h ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
605 35th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
In-unit laundry | Furnished | Hardwood floor
1 bed
1 bath
$1,250
House for rent
Available May 1
22h ago
Eastside apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
1 bath
$3,250
Apartment for rent
22h ago
119 Mountain View Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
On-site laundry | Hardwood floor | Outdoor space
1 bed
1 bath
$2,300
Apartment for rent
1d ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
1 bath
$3,750
House for rent
1d ago
Apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
1 bath
$3,200
Apartment for rent
1d ago
1–3 beds
1–2 baths
$2,945–$4,495
Apartment for rent
Available Mar 19
1d ago
2 beds
2 baths
$4,995
Apartment for rent
1d ago
1240 Shaffer Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Garage parking | Assigned parking | Swimming pool
1–2 beds
1–2 baths
$3,097–$4,543
Apartment for rent
1d ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
2030 Kinsley St #D, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
In-unit laundry | Garage parking | Assigned parking
3 beds
1 bath
$4,495
$4,195
Price drop
House for rent
1d ago
Condo for rent in Santa Cruz
1200 Capitola Rd #25, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
In-unit laundry | On-site laundry | Assigned parking
3 beds
1 bath
$3,700
Condo for rent
Available Mar 22
2d ago
1 bed
1 bath
$2,200
Apartment for rent
2d ago
Eastside house for rent in Santa Cruz
4 beds
2 baths
$7,900
House for rent
2d ago
314 Laurel St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
In-unit laundry | On-site laundry | Microwave
3 beds
2 baths
$3,500
Price drop
Apartment for rent
2d ago
2 beds
1 bath
$3,990
Apartment for rent
2d ago
2500 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95065
On-site laundry | Controlled access | Outdoor space
2 beds
1 bath
$3,381
Apartment for rent
2d ago
Beach HIll apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
509 Leibrandt Ave #3, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
In-unit laundry | On-site laundry | Assigned parking
1 bed
1 bath
$3,495
Apartment for rent
Available Mar 16
2d ago
Westside house for rent in Santa Cruz
In-unit laundry | Fireplace | Dishwasher
6 beds
4 baths
$10,000
House for rent
3d ago
Westside apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
1 bath
$2,395
Apartment for rent
Available Mar 15
3d ago
Downtown Santa Cruz apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
1 bed
1 bath
$2,495
Apartment for rent
Available Mar 16
3d ago
Apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
On-site management | Business center | On-site laundry
1 bed
1 bath
$2,350
Apartment for rent
Available Mar 18
3d ago
2 beds
1–2 baths
$2,900–$3,200
Apartment for rent
3d ago
2 beds
1 bath
$2,700
Price drop
Apartment for rent
3d 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
3d ago
Eastside apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
Studio
1 bath
$2,554
Apartment for rent
3d ago
Beach HIll condo for rent in Santa Cruz
509 Leibrandt Ave #1, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
In-unit laundry | On-site laundry | Assigned parking
2 beds
1 bath
$3,495
Condo for rent
Available Mar 16
3d ago
1863 Halterman Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
In-unit laundry | Air conditioning | Balcony
1 bed
1 bath
$2,000
Apartment for rent
3d ago
2 beds
1 bath
$3,990
Apartment for rent
4d ago
3 beds
1 bath
$3,200
Apartment for rent
4d ago
1 bed
1 bath
$2,650
Price drop
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
Eastside house for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
1 bath
$3,300
House for rent
Available Mar 10
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
2 baths
$4,700
House for rent
5d+ ago
Westside condo for rent in Santa Cruz
3 beds
2 baths
$7,400
Condo for rent
5d+ ago
Westside house for rent in Santa Cruz
5 beds
3 baths
$9,600
House for rent
5d+ ago
Westside house for rent in Santa Cruz
3 beds
2 baths
$7,350
House for rent
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
5 beds
3.5 baths
$9,600
House for rent
5d+ ago
2 beds
1 bath
$2,600
Apartment for rent
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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 | 178 |
|---|---|
| 💰Best rent deal | 605 35th Ave |
| ✨Popular amenities | , , |
| 🧦In-unit laundry | |
| 🍽With dishwasher | |
| 🏠With photos |