Average Rent in Santa Cruz, CA
What is the average rent in Santa Cruz, CA?
The average listed apartment rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $3,861 per month, as of November 14, 2026. This sample includes 148 priced apartments in 12 buildings. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.
We use published total monthly rent when known and base rent otherwise. Unknown fees remain unknown. Included building observations run from November 8, 2026 through November 14, 2026. Buildings without a qualifying price do not count in this sample. The guide directory can include more buildings.
12 apartment buildings, 148 units. Recorded asking prices and price history where available.
Browse apartments in Santa Cruz, CACheapest
$2,300/mo
Cypress Point Apartments
Properties
12
tracked daily
Units
148
available now
Santa Cruz, CA Resident Access
City Club members share insider gate codes, parking links, and amenity tips.
Analysis
Rent Price Breakdown
Compare pricing across all 12 properties in Santa Cruz, CA.
Average rent trend, last 3 months
All bedroom types, citywide. Choose a window above to scope the view.
Average Rent by Property
Starting Price vs Average
Rent by Bedroom Count
Price per Square Foot
Santa Cruz, CA Rent Prices
All 12 properties ranked by lowest available rent.
The Hilltop
363 Western Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Pacific Shores
1240 Shaffer Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Cypress Point Apartments
101 Felix St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Hidden Creek Apartments
200 Button St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
The Breakers
630 Water St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
San Lorenzo Apartments
120 San Lorenzo Blvd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
The Sands
304 Cliff St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| # | Property | From | Avg | $/sqft | Rating | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hilltop 363 Western Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA | $1,200 as of Jul 11 | $2,791 | $1.87/ft² | 3 (147) | 6 |
| 2 | Pacific Shores 1240 Shaffer Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA | $1,546 as of Sep 19 | $3,898 | $4.97/ft² | 3.9 (20) | 5 |
| 3 | Cypress Point Apartments 101 Felix St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA | $2,300 | $3,033 | $5.08/ft² | 3.4 (181) | 29 |
| 4 | Hidden Creek Apartments 200 Button St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA | $2,350 | $2,843 | $5.83/ft² | 4 (138) | 6 |
| 5 | The Breakers 630 Water St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA | $2,350 | $2,535 | $7.74/ft² | 3.9 (37) | 4 |
| 6 | San Lorenzo Apartments 120 San Lorenzo Blvd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA | $2,550 as of Oct 30 | $2,550 | $5.09/ft² | 3.9 (17) | 1 |
| 7 | The Sands 304 Cliff St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA | $2,599 | $2,799 | $6.19/ft² | 4.6 (16) | 2 |
Rent & Price History by Building
Compare apartment listings by price, bedrooms, and neighborhood.
The Hilltop
3 (147)363 Western Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Pacific Shores
3.9 (20)1240 Shaffer Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Cypress Point Apartments
3.4 (181)101 Felix St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Hidden Creek Apartments
4 (138)200 Button St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
The Breakers
3.9 (37)630 Water St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
San Lorenzo Apartments
3.9 (17)120 San Lorenzo Blvd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
By Area
Santa Cruz, CA neighborhoods
Tracked buildings across 2 named neighborhoods. Pick one to see its apartments.
Santa Cruz, CA Average Rent Prices 2026
The average listed rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $3,861 per month, based on 148 units across 12 apartment communities. Prices range from $2,300 at Cypress Point Apartments to $7,500 at RiverRow.
Average Rent by Bedroom Type
| Type | Avg Rent | Starting From | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,920/mo | $2,300/mo | 36 |
| 1 Bed | $3,589/mo | $2,350/mo | 62 |
| 2 Bed | $4,945/mo | $2,999/mo | 44 |
| 3 Bed | $4,167/mo | $3,995/mo | 5 |
| 4 Bed | $5,295/mo | $5,295/mo | 1 |
We schedule daily price checks. The included observations can have different dates. Request an area we do not cover so we can review it for coverage.
Market Context
Who rents in Santa Cruz, CA, and what they pay
Tracked one-bedroom rent in Santa Cruz, CA averages $3,589/mo , with two-bedroom units averaging $4,945/mo. At the local median household income of $111,427, that works out to 42% of gross income, a severely rent-burdened market by HUD standards.
The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2023 release pegged median gross rent in Santa Cruz, CA at $2,302/mo. The current tracked market average runs 68% higher than that benchmark, reflecting both two to three years of rent growth and the fact that the Census figure covers all renter-occupied housing in Santa Cruz, CA while the tracked market average covers units currently listed in larger apartment communities.
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
$154,000/year
Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $3,861/mo.
Comfortable income
$185,000/year
Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($2,300/mo), you need to earn at least $92,000/year.
Median household income in Santa Cruz, CA is $111,427 , about 40% 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) | $3,861 |
| Utilities | $753 |
| Groceries | $567 |
| Transportation | $1,794 |
| Healthcare | $875 |
| Other goods and services | $1,400 |
| Estimated total | $9,249/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
We use listed asking rents and schedule daily data updates. Individual buildings can have different verification dates. Check the building or unit page for its latest price and availability.
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
We estimate annual income by dividing annual rent by 30 percent for the affordability figure and 25 percent for the comfortable-income figure. These estimates are a guide, not a guarantee of rental approval.
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.
Compare
Nearby cities in California
How Santa Cruz, CA rent compares to other markets in the state.
| City | Avg Rent | vs Santa Cruz, CA | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $3,277 | -15% | 50 |
| San Diego, CA | $3,375 | -13% | 36 |
| Anaheim, CA | $2,911 | -25% | 34 |
| EL Cajon, CA | $2,270 | -41% | 33 |
| Antioch, CA | $2,368 | -39% | 32 |
| Hayward, CA | $2,762 | -28% | 32 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Santa Cruz, CA?
The average listed apartment rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $3,861 per month, as of November 14, 2026. This sample includes 148 priced apartments in 12 buildings. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.
What is the median rent in Santa Cruz, CA?
The median asking rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $3,614 per month, computed from 148 priced listings; check the observation dates shown on this page. The average is $3,861/mo; the median resists skew from luxury listings.
What is the cheapest apartment rent in Santa Cruz, CA?
The lowest available rent in Santa Cruz, CA starts at $2,300 per month. Confirm current availability, fees, and lease terms with the selected listing.
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz, CA?
1-bedroom apartments in Santa Cruz, CA average $3,589/mo. The lowest listed 1-bedroom starts at $2,350/mo across 62 units tracked.
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz, CA?
2-bedroom apartments in Santa Cruz, CA average $4,945/mo. Units start from $2,999/mo across 44 units currently listed.
Rent Trends in Santa Cruz, CA
Track how apartment prices are changing over time.
Missing your neighborhood?
Tell us where you're looking. We'll start tracking prices within 24 hours.
Get Started