Last updated
Average Rent in Santa Cruz, CA & Rent Trends
Rent prices and market trends across 9 apartment communities in Santa Cruz, CA. Updated daily.
Market Average
$4,092/mo
Lowest Available
$2,303/mo
cheapest unit on market
Communities
9
tracked daily
Units Listed
95
available now
Rent Watch: cuts and increases
Open Rent Watch →2 cuts and 0 increases among 62 comparable listings this week. Filter by bedrooms and budget, then inspect each building’s history.
- Chestnut Street Apartments
↓ $90/mo
Cut of 2.3% · Unit H210
Is Rent Going Up or Down in Santa Cruz, CA?
As of October 2026, the average rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $4,092 per month across 9 apartment communities and 95 available units.
The most affordable option is The Breakers starting at $2,303/mo. By unit type, a studio averages $3,177/mo, a 1-bedroom averages $3,688/mo, a 2-bedroom averages $4,952/mo.
Prices range from $2,303 to $7,500 per month. The most common price point is the $3,000 range, where 11 units are currently listed.
Santa Cruz, CA Rent Price History
View as table
| Month | Avg Rent | Change | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | $3,749 | - | 16 |
| August 2026 | $3,798 | +$49 | 15 |
| September 2026 | $3,606 | -$192 | 14 |
| October 2026 | $3,627 | +$21 | 11 |
The trend line and monthly averages track each building's average listed price, recorded daily with outliers trimmed. The current month is a month-to-date figure, so it can sit above or below today's live market average shown at the top of this page.
Average Rent by Bedroom
Rent Price Distribution
Rent by Bedroom Type in Santa Cruz, CA
Rent Prices by Apartment in Santa Cruz, CA
| Property | Starting at | Average | Units | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Breakers | $2,303/mo | $2,496/mo | 3 | 3.9 |
| Hidden Creek Apartments | $2,599/mo | $3,027/mo | 6 | 4 |
| Chestnut Street Apartments | $2,677/mo | $3,401/mo | 6 | 4.5 |
| Riverfront Apartments | $2,689/mo | $3,106/mo | 4 | 4 |
| San Lorenzo Apartments | $2,699/mo | $2,849/mo | 2 | 3.9 |
| Anton Pacific | $2,964/mo | $3,870/mo | 25 | 4.5 |
| The Sands | $2,999/mo | $2,999/mo | 1 | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Santa Cruz, CA
What is the average rent in Santa Cruz, CA?
Is rent going up or down in Santa Cruz, CA?
What is the cheapest apartment in Santa Cruz, CA?
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz, CA?
How many apartments are available in Santa Cruz, CA?
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Santa Cruz, CA?
Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Minimum to afford average rent
$164,000/year
Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $4,092/mo.
Comfortable income
$196,000/year
Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($2,303/mo), you need to earn at least $92,000/year.
Median household income in Santa Cruz, CA is $111,427 , about 43% below the comfortable-living threshold.
Cost of living in Santa Cruz, CA
Overall prices in Santa Cruz, CA runs above the national average by about 13% (BEA Regional Price Parity index 112.8, where 100 equals the U.S. average). The breakdown below estimates monthly costs for a single adult, using national consumer-spending baselines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics scaled by Santa Cruz, CA's regional price parities.
| Category | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (market average) | $4,092 |
| Utilities | $753 |
| Groceries | $567 |
| Transportation | $1,794 |
| Healthcare | $875 |
| Other goods and services | $1,400 |
| Estimated total | $9,480/mo |
Population
60,953
Median household income
$111,427
Census median rent
$2,302/mo
Census rent burden
32.6%
Median age
30.7
Mean commute
23 min
Methodology
Rent data
Sourced directly from each tracked apartment community and refreshed every 24 hours. Every listed unit price on this page is real and listed today.
Cost of living
Estimates combine national consumer-spending baselines from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Expenditure Survey) with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (MARPP dataset). Both are peer-reviewed federal data releases published annually.
Salary to live comfortably
Applies the standard 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income rule on top of the listed rent. This is the same affordability guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Demographic figures
Median household income, population, median age, commute time, Census median rent, and rent as percentage of income come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the most recent complete release.
Cost of living and demographic figures were last published in 2023.
Google Search Trends for Santa Cruz, CA Apartments
Search interest for apartments in this area over the past 12 months.
Search Interest Over Time
Explore Santa Cruz, CA Apartments
Browse all 9 communities with daily-updated pricing and availability.