Bedroom count

Property type

Last updated on May 2, 2026

Average rent in
Santa Cruz, CA

Last updated on May 2, 2026

Last updated on May 2, 2026

Bedroom count

Property type

As of April 2026, the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in Santa Cruz, CA is $3,450. This is +77%, or $1,501, higher than the national average.

$4.04

average price per square foot

Median rent

$3,450

decreased by4%
over the previous yearvs previous year

Total rentals

77

for rent on Zumper.com

As of April 2026, the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in Santa Cruz, CA is $3,450. This is +77%, or $1,501, higher than the national average.

$4.04

average price per square foot

Rent ranges

4%
36%
36%
14%
11%
$0-$1,500$0 - $1,500
$1,501-$3,000$1,501 - $3,000
$3,001-$4,500$3,001 - $4,500
$4,501-$6,000$4,501 - $6,000
$6,001-$50,000$6,001 - $50,000

Households

54%
46%
Renter-occupied
Owner-occupied

Median rent and rent ranges are based on Zumper inventory in the last 30 days. Household data are provided by the US Census Bureau.

Rent price trends in
Santa Cruz, CA

Rent price trends

Rent prices for all bedroom counts and property types in Santa Cruz, CA have increased by 4% in the last month and have decreased by 4% in the last year.

Rent prices on this page are calculated on a rolling 30-day basis and updated daily.

Rent comparables in
Santa Cruz, CA

The monthly rent for an apartment in Santa Cruz, CA is $3,200. A 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz, CA costs about $2,695 on average, while a 2-bedroom apartment is $3,381. Houses for rent in Santa Cruz, CA are more expensive, with an average monthly cost of $4,600.

Comparables

1 bedroom

$2,595

1%

4%

2 bedroom

$3,502

3%

16%

3 bedroom

$4,600

11%

3%

4 bedroom

$8,410

14%

31%

Studio

$2,495

3%

21%

Studio

Average rent

$2,495

Last 30 days

3%

Last year

21%

1 bedroom

Average rent

$2,595

Last 30 days

1%

Last year

4%

2 bedroom

Average rent

$3,502

Last 30 days

3%

Last year

16%

3 bedroom

Average rent

$4,600

Last 30 days

11%

Last year

3%

4 bedroom

Average rent

$8,410

Last 30 days

14%

Last year

31%

The table above reflects average rent prices in Santa Cruz, CA, broken down by the number of bedrooms, neighborhoods, and property types. The availability of data for each category is dependent on market inventory and will adjust depending on your selected filters.

Compare rent prices in Santa Cruz, CA to other cities

Median rent prices in Santa Cruz, CA for all bedroom counts and property types compared to Aptos, CA.

Santa Cruz

Median rent price$3,450
increased by77%

higher than the national median

Median rent price$3,500
increased by80%

higher than the national median

Takeaway

The median rent for all rentals in Santa Cruz, CA is 1% lower than the median rent in Aptos, CA.

More data insights and reports

View the National Rent Report

National Rent Report

View the Canadian Rent Report

Canadian Rent Report

View the Annual Rent Report

Annual Rent Report

Are you interested in licensing our current and historical rental real estate data, or do you have custom data requests? Contact datalicensing@zumper.com.

Average rent in
Nearby cities

Explore rent trends in other markets

Aptos

$3,500

decreased by17%

Last year

Capitola

$2,850

decreased by3%

Last year

Felton

$3,597

increased by66%

Last year

Fremont

$2,940

increased by13%

Last year

Los Gatos

$3,180

increased by8%

Last year

San Jose

$3,046

increased by5%

Last year

San Mateo

$3,197

increased by4%

Last year

Santa Clara

$3,440

increased by7%

Last year

Scotts Valley

$2,900

decreased by29%

Last year

Soquel

$3,345

decreased by20%

Last year

Sunnyvale

$3,547

increased by11%

Last year

Watsonville

$2,950

increased by4%

Last year

Apartments for rent in Belmont

Discover rentals in Santa Cruz, CA

1744 Foster Ct - Photo 1 of 1

5d+ ago

House for rent in Santa Cruz

Rooms for rent in quite safe neighborhood house

1744 Foster Ct, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

5 beds

2.5 baths

$1,400

House for rent

Available Mar 1

202 Vista Prieta Ct - Photo 1 of 1

5d+ ago

Condo for rent in Santa Cruz

This condo might just be a great fit for you! Vacan

202 Vista Prieta Ct, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

1 bed

1 bath

$1,600

Condo for rent

113 Fairbanks St - Photo 1 of 1

5d+ ago

Eastside house for rent in Santa Cruz

one of California?s most desirable coastal communities

113 Fairbanks St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

2 beds

1.5 baths

$2,107

House for rent

800 - Photo 1 of 1

3d ago

8

Very good

800

800 24th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

2 beds

1 bath

$2,495

Apartment for rent

Garden Lane MHP - Photo 1 of 1

3h ago

8.6

Very good

Garden Lane MHP

692 38th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

2 beds

2 baths

$3,200

Apartment for rent

340 Highland - Photo 1 of 1

8h ago

8.9

Very good

340 Highland

340 Highland Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

2 beds

1 bath

$3,200

Apartment for rent

985 30th Ave - Photo 1 of 1

4d ago

8.3

Very good

985 30th Ave

985 30th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

3 beds

1 bath

$3,650

Apartment for rent

7th Avenue - Photo 1 of 1

4d ago

8

Very good

7th Avenue

1175 - 1181 7th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

3 beds

2 baths

$4,200

Apartment for rent