Hidden Creek Apartments
200 Button St,
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
1-2 Beds | $2,750 - $3,795
Rental Market Trends in Santa Cruz, CA
Updated July 2026
The average rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $2,738/month.
Rent in Santa Cruz is 65% higher than the national average rent of $1,663/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.
$2,738/month
Average Rent
584 Sq Ft
Average Size
+0.9%
Change / Year
270
Available Apartments
Santa Cruz rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in Santa Cruz average $2,306 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in Santa Cruz average $2,738 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in Santa Cruz average $3,780 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in Santa Cruz average $3,644 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Santa Cruz, CA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 0.9%, which averages out to $25 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
July 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Santa Cruz, CA
July 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
0%
Below $700/month
2%
$700 - $1,000/month
14%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
16%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
68%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Santa Cruz?
Based on current rent prices, Central Santa Cruz, Eastside and Riverwalk 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, Downtown Santa Cruz, Westside and Riverwalk 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 Riverwalk .
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 $2,738, you’ll want to make about $9,126 per month or $109,512 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.
View the Santa Cruz Area GuideStudio
-
$2,559/month
One Bedroom
-
$3,323/month
Two Bedroom
-
$5,299/month
Three Bedroom
-
$3,662/month
Apartment Communities in Santa Cruz We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Santa Cruz?
The average rent in Santa Cruz is $2,738 per month, which is 64.6% higher than the national average of $1,663.
Are rents going up or down in Santa Cruz?
Rents in Santa Cruz, CA are increasing, with prices up 0.9% year-over-year and $25 more per month.
What rent range is most common in Santa Cruz?
In Santa Cruz, CA, 68% of apartments fall above $2,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
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 June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.