# Craigslist Scraper - Jobs, Housing, Cars & More (`thirdwatch/craigslist-scraper`) Actor Scrape Craigslist listings across any city and category: jobs, apartments, cars, services. Extracts title, price, location, neighborhood, description, posting date. Works with all Craigslist cities and categories. - **URL**: https://apify.com/thirdwatch/craigslist-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Thirdwatch](https://apify.com/thirdwatch) (community) - **Categories:** Lead generation, Real estate - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $0.90 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## Craigslist Scraper > Scrape Craigslist listings across any US city and category — jobs, apartments, cars, services. Get titles, prices, locations, neighborhoods, descriptions, and posting dates. ### What you get Search Craigslist for jobs, apartments, cars, services, or any other category in any Craigslist city. Returns structured listing data including title, price, location, neighborhood, description, and posting date. Pass a city subdomain (`sfbay`, `newyork`, `chicago`, ...) and a category code (`sof` for software jobs, `apa` for apartments, `cta` for cars, ...). ### Output fields | Field | Description | |-------|-------------| | `title` | Listing title | | `price` | Listed price (formatted with currency) | | `location` | City or region | | `neighborhood` | Neighborhood within the city | | `description` | Full listing description | | `posted_date` | Date the listing was posted | | `category` | Listing category | | `url` | Craigslist listing URL | ### Example output ```json { "title": "2BR Apartment in Downtown - Renovated", "price": "$2,200", "location": "San Francisco", "neighborhood": "Downtown / Financial District", "description": "Beautiful renovated 2-bedroom apartment...", "posted_date": "2026-04-08", "category": "apa", "url": "https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/apa/..." } ```` ### Input parameters | Parameter | Required | Description | |-----------|----------|-------------| | `city` | Yes | Craigslist city subdomain (e.g., `sfbay`, `newyork`, `losangeles`, `chicago`, `seattle`, `austin`). Default `sfbay`. | | `category` | Yes | Category code (e.g., `sof` software jobs, `jjj` all jobs, `apa` apartments, `cta` cars/trucks). Default `sof`. | | `query` | No | Optional keyword search within the category. | | `maxResults` | No | Maximum listings to extract. Default `30`, max `500`. | ### Use cases - **Job seekers**: Pull local job listings and track new posts daily. - **Real estate analysts**: Track rental prices by neighborhood and city. - **Used-car dealers**: Spot pricing trends on specific makes and models in your market. - **Market researchers**: Analyze pricing trends for goods and services by region. - **AI agents**: Feed an agent live "what's for sale/rent in city X" data. ### Limitations - Category codes differ slightly from city to city; a small number of local-only categories may return empty. - Listings are user-generated so field quality varies (price may be missing, neighborhood may be absent). - Craigslist listings expire — historical listings may no longer resolve. - Craigslist covers mostly the US with limited international city coverage. ### Compared to alternatives - **vs. Craigslist RSS feeds**: RSS feeds are limited to the most recent 100 items, no search within category, no price/neighborhood fields. This actor returns the full structured dataset. - **vs. other Apify Store scrapers**: One of the cheapest Craigslist scrapers at $0.00085 per result on the GOLD tier. Pairs well with [Google Maps Scraper](https://apify.com/thirdwatch/google-maps-scraper) and [Zillow Scraper](https://apify.com/thirdwatch/zillow-scraper) for complete local-market coverage. ### FAQ **How do I find the right city code?** Look at the subdomain of the Craigslist city URL. For example, `sfbay.craigslist.org` uses the code `sfbay`; `newyork.craigslist.org` uses `newyork`. **How do I find the right category code?** Craigslist uses 3-letter category codes (e.g., `sof` software jobs, `apa` apartments, `cta` cars/trucks). Pull up the Craigslist category page — the code is in the URL. **Can I search by keyword?** Yes — pass a `query` string to filter within the category. **How fresh is the data?** Pulled live from Craigslist at run time. Last verified: 2026-05 More scrapers at [thirdwatch.dev](https://thirdwatch.dev). # Actor input Schema ## `city` (type: `string`): Craigslist city subdomain (e.g. sfbay, newyork, losangeles, chicago, seattle, austin). ## `category` (type: `string`): Craigslist category code: sof (software jobs), jjj (all jobs), apa (apartments), cta (cars/trucks), etc. ## `query` (type: `string`): Optional keyword search within the category. ## `maxResults` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of listings to scrape. ## Actor input object example ```json { "city": "sfbay", "category": "sof", "maxResults": 30 } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `results` (type: `string`): No description # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "city": "sfbay", "category": "sof", "maxResults": 30 }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("thirdwatch/craigslist-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "city": "sfbay", "category": "sof", "maxResults": 30, } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("thirdwatch/craigslist-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "city": "sfbay", "category": "sof", "maxResults": 30 }' | apify call thirdwatch/craigslist-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=thirdwatch/craigslist-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Craigslist Scraper - Jobs, Housing, Cars & More", "description": "Scrape Craigslist listings across any city and category: jobs, apartments, cars, services. Extracts title, price, location, neighborhood, description, posting date. Works with all Craigslist cities and categories.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "70gjzO0n1QgobRu9e" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/thirdwatch~craigslist-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-thirdwatch-craigslist-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/thirdwatch~craigslist-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-thirdwatch-craigslist-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/thirdwatch~craigslist-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-thirdwatch-craigslist-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "required": [ "city", "category" ], "properties": { "city": { "title": "City", "type": "string", "description": "Craigslist city subdomain (e.g. sfbay, newyork, losangeles, chicago, seattle, austin).", "default": "sfbay" }, "category": { "title": "Category", "type": "string", "description": "Craigslist category code: sof (software jobs), jjj (all jobs), apa (apartments), cta (cars/trucks), etc.", "default": "sof" }, "query": { "title": "Search Query", "type": "string", "description": "Optional keyword search within the category." }, "maxResults": { "title": "Max Results", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 500, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of listings to scrape.", "default": 30 } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```