Santa Cruz, CA Rental Market Trends
What is the average rent in Santa Cruz?
The average rent for an apartment in Santa Cruz is $3,501. The cost of rent varies depending on several factors, including location, size, and quality.
Average rent in Santa Cruz, CA
Last updated June 2025
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size |
|---|---|
| $3,501 | 707 sq. ft. |
What is the average apartment size in Santa Cruz?
The average size for a Santa Cruz, CA apartment is 707 square feet, but this number varies greatly depending on unit type, with cheap and luxury alternatives for houses and apartments alike. Studio apartments are the smallest and most affordable, 1-bedroom apartments are closer to the average, while 2-bedroom apartments and 3-bedroom apartments offer a more generous square footage.
Santa Cruz, CA apartment rent ranges
Santa Cruz, CA Occupied Housing Units
11,331 or 52% of the households in Santa Cruz, CA are renter-occupied while 10,338 or 48% are owner-occupied.
Santa Cruz, CA rent trends
Average Rent in Santa Cruz, CA By Neighborhood
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Moore Creek | $3,850 |
| Downtown Santa Cruz | $3,443 |
| Beach Hill-Neary Lagoon | $3,083 |
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What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Santa Cruz?
The most affordable neighborhoods in Santa Cruz are Beach Hill-Neary Lagoon, where the average rent goes for $3,083/month, Downtown Santa Cruz, where renters pay $3,443/mo on average, and Moore Creek, where the average rent goes for $3,850/mo.
Santa Cruz | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Beach Hill-Neary Lagoon is 10% lower than in Downtown Santa Cruz
$3,083
Beach Hill-Neary Lagoon rent is 12% lower than Santa Cruz average
Average Rent
$3,083
$3,443
Downtown Santa Cruz rent is 2% lower than Santa Cruz average
Average Rent
$3,443
How Santa Cruz Compares to Other Cities
| State | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Santa Cruz | $3,501 |
| Los Angeles | $2,750 |
| East Bay | $2,670 |
| San Francisco | $3,507 |
| San Diego | $2,975 |
| Sacramento | $1,921 |
| Long Beach | $2,653 |
| Oakland | $2,616 |
| San Jose | $3,137 |
| Fresno | $1,604 |
| Tulare | $1,633 |
| Sunnyvale | $3,448 |
| Mountain View | $3,707 |
| Palo Alto, CA | $3,121 |
| Santa Clara, CA | $3,490 |
| Menlo Park, CA | $4,456 |
| Redwood City, CA | $3,564 |
| Salinas, CA | $2,341 |
| Los Gatos, CA | $3,530 |
| Milpitas, CA | $3,182 |
| Campbell, CA | $2,949 |
What is the average price for a storage unit in Santa Cruz?
The average rent for a non-climate-controlled 10'x10' storage unit in Santa Cruz is $465. Rental costs vary depending on several factors, including unit size and the storage facility's location and amenities.
Most Popular Apartments in Santa Cruz
Cypress Point
101 Felix Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060| STUDIO | $2,748+ |
| 1 BED | $2,962+ |
| 2 BEDS | $3,781+ |
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221 Raymond Street Apartments
221 Raymond Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060| STUDIO | $2,000 |
| 1 BED | $2,300 |
| 2 BEDS | $2,900 |
Hidden Creek Apartments
200 Button Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060| 1 BED | $2,750+ |
| 2 BEDS | $3,499+ |
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The Sands
304 Cliff Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060| 1 BED | N/A |
| 2 BEDS | $3,499 |