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Apartments for Rent in Santa Cruz, CA

30 rentals available
  • Cypress Point

    $2,623
    101 Felix Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    (240) 428-6220

    18 units available
    Studio • 1 bed • 2 bed
    Amenities

    On-site laundry, Patio / balcony, Hardwood floors, Dishwasher, Pet friendly, 24hr maintenance + more

    Verified listing
    Verified
  • Oceanview Apartments

    $3,195
    222 Columbia Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    (831) 275-9072

    13 units available
    1 bed • 2 bed
    Amenities

    On-site laundry, Patio / balcony, Dishwasher, Pet friendly, 24hr maintenance, Carport + more

    Verified listing
    Verified
  • Anton Pacific

    $3,440
    800 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    (831) 777-6765
    Rent Savings

    22 units available
    Studio • 1 bed • 2 bed
    Amenities

    In unit laundry, Patio / balcony, Dishwasher, Pet friendly, Parking, Stainless steel + more

    Verified listing
    Verified
  • Hidden Creek Apartments

    $2,650
    200 Button Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    (831) 346-5360

    9 units available
    1 bed • 2 bed
    Amenities

    On-site laundry, Patio / balcony, Hardwood floors, Dishwasher, Pet friendly, 24hr maintenance + more

    Verified listing
    Verified
  • Santa Cruz city guide
    Everything you need to know
  • Featured Unit 1
    Best market deals
    These units are the best deal in town.
  • The Hilltop Apartments

    $NaN
    363 Western Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    (831) 607-7033

    Contact for Availability
    Amenities

    On-site laundry, Patio / balcony, Pet friendly, 24hr maintenance, Carport, Walk in closets + more

    Verified listing
    Verified
  • Gorgeous Santa Cruz Home!! 3bed/2.5 bath

    $4,600
    19 Mary Case Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    (831) 246-9965

    1 unit available
    3 bed
    Amenities

    W/D hookup, Patio / balcony, Hardwood floors, Dishwasher, Garage, Recently renovated + more

    Verified listing
    Verified
  • Beautiful 3 bedroom West Side Home! Close to UCSC and West Cliff Drive.

    $5,995
    520 Laguna Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    (831) 226-8364

    1 unit available
    3 bed
    Amenities

    In unit laundry, Patio / balcony, Dogs allowed, Garage, Gym, and Range

    Verified listing
    Verified
  • 2 Bed 1 Bath Single Family Home Right Next to Garfield Park

    $4,100
    704 Almar Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    (831) 580-1111

    1 unit available
    2 bed
    Amenities

    W/D hookup, Patio / balcony, Hardwood floors, Pet friendly, Garage, Fireplace + more

  • 5 Bedroom 3.25 Bath Close to UC, hiking, mountain biking

    $9,100
    1322 River Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    (831) 915-1821

    1 unit available
    5 bed
    Amenities

    In unit laundry, Patio / balcony, Dishwasher, Garage, Pool, and Range

  • 124/126 Trinity Street - 4126 Trinity Street

    $2,200
    124 Trinity Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    (831) 345-6583

    1 unit available
    1 bed
  • Featured Unit 1
    Luxury apartments
    Top units for an elevated lifestyle.
  • 242 4th Ave

    $7,500
    242 4th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
    (831) 465-4635

    1 unit available
    3 bed
    Amenities

    In unit laundry, Patio / balcony, Hot tub, Microwave, Furnished, Range + more

  • 127 Pearl St

    $2,965
    127 Pearl Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    (408) 202-2616

    1 unit available
    2 bed
    Amenities

    On-site laundry, Dishwasher, Pet friendly, and Garage

  • 626 Windsor Street

    $3,895
    626 Windsor Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
    (925) 290-6055

    1 unit available
    2 bed
    Amenities

    In unit laundry, Hardwood floors, Garage, Recently renovated, Stainless steel, and Air conditioning

  • Bright and cozy 2-Bedroom, 2 Bathroom located close to Downtown and the Boardwalk

    $3,500
    124 Shelter Lagoon Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    (800) 294-4656

    1 unit available
    2 bed
    Amenities

    In unit laundry, Patio / balcony, Parking, Walk in closets, Pool, Tennis court + more

  • 903 Mission St

    $3,949
    903 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    (831) 243-6623

    1 unit available
    2 bed
    Amenities

    In unit laundry, Garage, and Recently renovated

  • Light-Filled 3bedroom/2bath Near Highway Busline to UCSC

    $4,200
    324 Plymouth Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    (831) 600-4336

    1 unit available
    3 bed
    Amenities

    In unit laundry, Hardwood floors, Dishwasher, Carpet, Range, and Refrigerator

Top neighborhoods in Santa Cruz

Westside
Westside
What it’s like to live in Westside
Surf culture thrives on Santa Cruz's Westside, where beach cottages and converted Victorian homes create distinctive character in this laid-back coastal community. The neighborhood extends from Natural Bridges State Beach to the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, offering multiple surf breaks catering to different skill levels. Though rental rates have increased alongside Santa Cruz's overall popularity, many properties maintain funky character details reflecting decades of artistic resident modifications rather than corporate renovations. The primary consideration remains limited parking, particularly during summer beach season, though bicycle transportation provides practical alternatives for most local trips. The neighborhood's microclimate typically features slightly warmer temperatures and less fog than other coastal sections, creating more consistent outdoor living possibilities throughout the year.
Great for
Families
Retirees
Professionals
Young Renters
Commuters
Neighborhood vibe
Mixed-Use
Peaceful
Mixed-Use & Commercial
Eastside
Eastside
What it’s like to live in Eastside
Families and university faculty appreciate Santa Cruz's Eastside, where Craftsman bungalows and beach cottages create architectural charm with slightly more distance from undergraduate-dominated areas. The neighborhood extends from Harbor Beach to Pleasure Point, providing multiple surf breaks and coastal access points along scenic East Cliff Drive. Though rental rates exceed inland alternatives, many residents find the combination of beach proximity and residential character justifies the premium compared to tourist-focused areas. The primary consideration remains summer beach traffic requiring local knowledge of alternative routes during peak visitor periods. The neighborhood's location provides relatively straightforward access to Silicon Valley employment via Highway 17, creating viable ocean living possibilities for tech professionals willing to navigate the challenging mountain commute.
Great for
Families
Retirees
Professionals
Young Renters
Commuters
Neighborhood vibe
Mixed-Use
Peaceful
Mixed-Use & Commercial

More Rental Options

Find an apartment for rent in Santa Cruz, CA

Searching for an apartment for rent in Santa Cruz, CA? Look no further! Apartment List will help you find a perfect apartment near you. There are 30 available rental units listed on Apartment List in Santa Cruz. Click on listings to see photos, floorplans, amenities, prices and availability, and much more!

The average rent in Santa Cruz is $3,116 for a studio, $3,188 for a one-bedroom apartment, and $4,446 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you are looking for a deal, keep an eye out for a red pulsing icon that indicates rent specials.

Tired of browsing? Take our personalized quiz. You’ll answer a couple of simple questions and we’ll put together a list of Santa Cruz apartments that are best for you. We’ll also factor in your commute, budget, and preferred amenities. Looking for a pet-friendly rental, or an apartment with in-unit washer and dryer? No problem, we’ll provide you with apartments that match that criteria.

You can trust Apartment List to help you find your next Santa Cruz, CA apartment rental! After all, everyone deserves a home they love.

Frequently Asked Questions

Living in Santa Cruz, CA

Situated on the edge of Monterey Bay and known for its beach houses, boardwalk amusement park, laidback vibe and redwoods, Santa Cruz is certainly an appealing draw for beach bums, hippies, and nature lovers looking to settle down. “Surf City”, as it’s known to some, is home to a college campus (UCSC, which is also the city’s largest employer) and has a youthful and very liberal vibe to it. Nope, there’s nothing conservative or buttoned-up about this seaside town. Expect to meet people from all walks of life and those that consider their surfboard an extra appendage. Your downtime as a Santa Cruz resident will most likely involve a lot of water sports, lighthouse admiring, historic touring, green space dwelling, and peaceful reading in the great outdoors.

Of course, there will be times when you need to head on in, rest your head and make yourself at home

View Santa Cruz City Guide
Sources:
  • School data: GreatSchools
  • Crime data: CrimeIndex (U.S.) provided by Precisely used data sourced from Precisely, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and various law enforcement agencies. These organizations do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the data used in this product.