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178 rentals
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
5d+ ago
2 beds
1 bath
$3,290
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
214 S Branciforte Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
In-unit laundry | On-site laundry | Assigned parking
2 beds
1 bath
$3,600
Condo for rent
Available Feb 1
5d+ ago
Westside condo for rent in Santa Cruz
In-unit laundry | Garage parking | Balcony
2 beds
2 baths
$3,450
$3,350
Price drop
Condo for rent
Available Feb 4
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
3 beds
2 baths
$4,700
House for rent
Available Jan 15
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
1 bath
$3,200
House for rent
Available Mar 9
5d+ ago
Apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
In-unit laundry | Air conditioning | Hardwood floor
3 beds
3 baths
$4,900
$4,800
Price drop
Apartment for rent
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5d+ ago
Apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
In-unit laundry | Air conditioning | Carpet
3 beds
3 baths
$4,900
$4,800
Price drop
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
103 Charles Hill Ct #2, Santa Cruz, CA 95065
In-unit laundry | Furnished | Air conditioning
1 bed
1 bath
$5,000
House for rent
5d+ ago
Eastside house for rent in Santa Cruz
3 beds
3 baths
$6,800
House for rent
5d+ ago
Apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
2 baths
$3,995
Apartment for rent
Available Sep 3
5d+ ago
Westside apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
251 High St #B, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
In-unit laundry | Air conditioning | Garage parking
2 beds
1 bath
$1,909
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
Condo for rent in Santa Cruz
106 Vista Prieta Ct #106, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
In-unit laundry | Air conditioning | On-site laundry
1 bed
1 bath
$1,645
Condo for rent
5d+ ago
Apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
On-site management | Business center
1 bed
1 bath
$2,850
$2,750
Price drop
Apartment for rent
Available Jan 26
5d+ ago
Eastside house for rent in Santa Cruz
1 bed
1 bath
$2,100
House for rent
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
Studio
1 bath
$2,100
House for rent
Available Mar 5
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
150 34th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
In-unit laundry | Garage parking | On-site laundry
Studio
1 bath
$2,995
House for rent
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
3 beds
1.5 baths
$4,100
$3,950
Price drop
House for rent
Available Mar 6
5d+ ago
Eastside house for rent in Santa Cruz
174 Frederick St, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
In-unit laundry | Furnished | Garage parking
2 beds
2.5 baths
$4,495
House for rent
Available Aug 1
5d+ ago
Apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
2865 Capitola Rd #2, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
On-site laundry | Central heat | Hardwood floor
2 beds
1 bath
$3,000
Apartment for rent
Available Jan 13
5d+ ago
Apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
1 bed
1 bath
$2,750
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
Eastside house for rent in Santa Cruz
3 beds
2 baths
$5,000
House for rent
Available Sep 3
5d+ ago
House for rent in Santa Cruz
1744 Foster Ct, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
In-unit laundry | Furnished | Garage parking
5 beds
2.5 baths
$1,500
$1,400
Price drop
House for rent
Available Mar 1
5d+ ago
Apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
On-site management | Business center
1 bed
1 bath
$2,700
Apartment for rent
Available Feb 18
5d+ ago
Westside apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
3 beds
1 bath
$3,600
Apartment for rent
Available Feb 4
5d+ ago
Westside condo for rent in Santa Cruz
In-unit laundry | On-site laundry | Hardwood floor
Studio
1 bath
$2,100
Condo for rent
Available Feb 1
5d+ ago
Condo for rent in Santa Cruz
2 beds
1 bath
$4,000
Condo for rent
5d+ ago
Apartment for rent in Santa Cruz
Assigned parking | Dishwasher
2 beds
1 bath
$3,500
Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
Westside house for rent in Santa Cruz
3 beds
2 baths
$5,500
House for rent
Available Feb 1
5d+ ago
Condo for rent in Santa Cruz
1 bed
1 bath
$2,800
Condo for rent
Available Feb 1
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.
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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 | 1744 Foster Ct |
| ✨Popular amenities | , , |
| 🧦In-unit laundry | |
| 🍽With dishwasher | |
| 🏠With photos |