Hidden Creek Apartments
200 Button St,
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
$2,799 - $3,955
1-2 Beds
Rental Market Trends in Santa Cruz, CA
What is the average rent in Santa Cruz, CA?
$2,690/month
Average Rent
585 Sq Ft
Average Apartment Size
+0.7%
Increase in the Last Year
As of January 2026, the average rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $2,690 per month. This is 66% higher than the national average rent price of $1,625/month, making Santa Cruz one of the most expensive cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in Santa Cruz, you can expect to pay about $2,208 per month for a studio, $2,690 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $3,639 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $3,623 or more.
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Santa Cruz, CA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 0.7%, which averages out to $19 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated January 2026
Legend
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Santa Cruz, CA
Last Updated January 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
0%
Below $700/month
3%
$700 - $1,000/month
15%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
15%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
67%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
Last Updated Today
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Santa Cruz?
Based on current rent prices, Beach Hill, Central Santa Cruz and Westside are the most affordable neighborhoods in Santa Cruz.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Santa Cruz?
Based on current rent prices, Front Street, Riverwalk and Pacific Avenue District are the most expensive neighborhoods in Santa Cruz.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which Santa Cruz neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhoods in Santa Cruz with the most apartments available are Westside, Downtown Santa Cruz and Cedar Street Village .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Santa Cruz, CA?
Because the average rent in Santa Cruz is $2,690, you’ll want to make about $8,966 per month or $107,592 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.
How does Santa Cruz, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare Santa Cruz, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.
Studio
$1,740/month
-
One Bedroom
$1,464/month
-
Two Bedroom
$2,387/month
-
Three Bedroom
$2,356/month
-
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.