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162 rentals available
5d+ ago
Eastside apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
1 bath
$3,090
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
Eastside townhouse for rent in Santa Cruz
3 beds
3.5 baths
$4,950
House for rent
5d+ ago
Condo for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
2 baths
$4,700
Condo for rent
5d+ ago
Eastside apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
Pine & Clinton St, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
In-unit laundry | Garage parking | Assigned parking
1 bed
1 bath
$3,250
Apartment for rent
Available Jul 1
5d+ ago
Westside house for rent in Santa Cruz
510 Lincoln St #3, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
In-unit laundry | Assigned parking | Walk-in closets
1 bed
1 bath
$3,395
House for rent
5d+ ago
Westside apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
1 bed
1 bath
$2,800
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
4207 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
In-unit laundry | On-site laundry | Storage
1 bed
1 bath
$2,800
House for rent
5d+ ago
Westside house for rent in Santa Cruz
249 Arroyo Seco, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
In-unit laundry | On-site management | Outdoor space
Studio
1 bath
$2,249
House for rent
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5d+ ago
Downtown Santa Cruz apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
1 bed
1 bath
$2,600
Apartment for rent
Available May 29
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
2524 Charlene Ln #NA, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
In-unit laundry | Garage parking | Balcony
3 beds
2 baths
$5,800
House for rent
Available Jul 1
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
2 baths
$4,400
House for rent
5d+ ago
Eastside house for rent in Santa Cruz
4 beds
2 baths
$7,900
House for rent
5d+ ago
Eastside apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
Studio
1 bath
$2,554
Apartment 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
$8,000
House for rent
Available Aug 11
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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.
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.
Santa Cruz 1-bedroom apartments averaged around $2,600 per month in 2025, while 2-bedroom units averaged around $3,600 monthly. These figures reflect the current rental market across the city's various neighborhoods.
December offers the best rental prices in Santa Cruz, with rents approximately 17% lower than April, which sees the highest prices of the year. November provides the least competitive rental market with lower overall demand, while March and May experience higher competition among renters.
Downtown Santa Cruz leads as the most in-demand neighborhood with exceptional walkability and transit access, generating 1.2 times more consumer interest than average. Beach Hill, Eastside, and Westside also offer vibrant restaurant scenes and pedestrian-friendly environments that foster strong community connections.
Eastside offers the best value for budget-conscious renters with 1-bedroom apartments at around $2,350 per month, representing 6% savings below the city median. The neighborhood maintains access to quality amenities and social infrastructure while providing more affordable rental options compared to premium downtown locations.
Santa Cruz offers excellent pet accommodations throughout Eastside, Downtown, and Westside neighborhoods. These areas feature apartments with pet flooring, outdoor spaces, dog parks, pet waste stations, and no breed restrictions, along with pet hospitals and regular community events for animal lovers.
Utilities are rarely included in Santa Cruz rental prices, appearing in less than 1% of all listings across the city. Studios have the highest rate at approximately 0.2% of units, while other bedroom types include utilities in fewer than 0.1% of available apartments.
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 2026 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 | 162 |
|---|---|
| 💰Best rent deal | 249 Arroyo Seco |
| ✨Popular amenities | , , |
| 🧦In-unit laundry | |
| 🍽With dishwasher | |
| 🏠With photos |