Last updated
Average Rent in Santa Cruz, CA & Rent Trends
Rent prices and market trends across 6 apartment communities in Santa Cruz, CA. Updated daily.
Market Average
$3,035/mo
▲ +1.5% from last month
Lowest Available
$843/mo
cheapest unit on market
Communities
6
tracked daily
Units Listed
46
available now
Rent by Neighborhood in Santa Cruz, CA
Compare average rent across Santa Cruz, CA neighborhoods. Click any area to see detailed trends.
| Neighborhood | Avg Rent | 30d Change | From | Properties | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz 95062 | $3,799 | ▼ $6 | $2,915 | 1 | 14 |
| Santa Cruz 95060 | $3,718 | ▲ $21 | $843 | 14 | 175 |
Is Rent Going Up or Down in Santa Cruz, CA?
As of August 2026, the average rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $3,035 per month across 6 apartment communities and 46 available units. Rents have increased $55 (1.5%) over the past month.
The most affordable option is RiverRow starting at $843/mo. By unit type, a studio averages $3,035/mo.
Prices range from $843 to $7,500 per month. The most common price point is the $3,200 range, where 10 units are currently listed.
Santa Cruz, CA Rent Price History
View as table
| Month | Avg Rent | Change | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | $3,591 | - | 6 |
| August 2026 | $3,505 | -$86 | 6 |
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RiverRow | $843/mo | $3,112/mo | 28 | 4.8 |
| The Breakers | $2,480/mo | $2,510/mo | 3 | 3.9 |
| Cypress Point Apartments | $2,606/mo | $2,826/mo | 9 | 3.4 |
| Five55 | $2,900/mo | $2,900/mo | 1 | 4.3 |
| Nanda on Pacific | $3,200/mo | $3,200/mo | 1 | 3.5 |
| Anton Pacific | $3,237/mo | $3,351/mo | 4 | 4.5 |
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 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
$121,000/year
Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $3,035/mo.
Comfortable income
$146,000/year
Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($843/mo), you need to earn at least $34,000/year.
Cost of living in Santa Cruz, CA
We only have live rent data for Santa Cruz, CA so far. The full cost of living breakdown (utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare) is coming soon.
| Category | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (market average) | $3,035 |
| Estimated total | $3,035/mo |
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 are refreshed annually.
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 6 communities with daily-updated pricing and availability.