Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Central Berkeley Neighborhood of Berkeley, CA from $400 (100 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Central Berkeley area of Berkeley.

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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property at 1932 Haste St

$1,899

1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

1932 Haste St

BerkeleyCA94704

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

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2122 Dwight Way
Rent Specials
$1,995 - $2,199
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,995 - $2,199
Total Monthly Price
$1,995 - $2,199
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

2122 Dwight Way

2122 Dwight WayBerkeley, CA 94704
Student Housing
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Hillside Village
$2,020 - $6,900
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,020 - $6,900
Total Monthly Price
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1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Hillside Village

1801 Shattuck AveBerkeley, CA 94709
Student Housing
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  • 3D Tour

Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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property at 2117 Delaware St

$2,200

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,200
Total Monthly Price
$2,200

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Now

2117 Delaware St, Unit A

2117 Delaware St
BerkeleyCA94709
property at 1315 Spruce St

$2,240

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals

Available Now

1

1315 Spruce St
BerkeleyCA94709

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

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property at 1352 Blake St

$2,400

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,400
Total Monthly Price
$2,400

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Now

1352 Blake St, Unit Upstairs

1352 Blake St
BerkeleyCA94702
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1122U
Rent Specials
$2,410 - $6,425
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,410 - $6,425
Total Monthly Price
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Studio to 5 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

1122U

1122 University AveBerkeley, CA 94702
Furnished
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2210 MLK
5 to 6 Bedroom Apartments

2210 MLK

2210 Martin Luther King Jr WayBerkeley, CA 94704
Student Housing

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

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Central Berkeley, Berkeley, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Central Berkeley Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Central Berkeley area of San Francisco, CA is a 2 Beds unit found at Collab@Oxford priced from $472. FOUND Study Southside Berkeley has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 4 Beds apartment currently listed from $845. Here are the most affordable Central Berkeley apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Collab@Oxford2X12BR,1BA$472
FOUND Study Southside Berkeley4x2 - Double - Berkeley 26-274BR,2BA$845
HeliosHelios - Bed rental - Shared Double 2026 - 2027...1BR,1BA$950
The Lair3BR/2.0BA3BR,2BA$992
RUMI at King2BR/2.0BA2BR,2BA$1,062
Aquatic @ U0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,397
Rise at Berkeley0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,398
BoscoUnit 2015BR,2BA$1,450
1919 Curtis St0 Beds, 1 BathsStudio,1BA$1,550
Poets Place ApartmentApartmentsStudio,1BA$1,750

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Central Berkeley, CA

As of June 17, 2026 the best value apartment in the Central Berkeley area is the $2.83 price per square foot 1337 Cornell Ave Model at 1337 Cornell Ave, Unit 2BD 1BA Upstairs Unit in the in the University Village neighborhood starting from $3,400. The second greatest value Central Berkeley apartment is the 2BR/2.0BA Model at RUMI at King starting at $1,062 with a $1.12 price per square foot in the Downtown Berkeley neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Central Berkeley apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
1337 Cornell Ave, Unit 2BD 1BA Upstairs Unit1337 Cornell Ave2BR,1BA$2.83
RUMI at King2BR/2.0BA2BR,2BA$1.12
ArtHaus DwightD14BR,2BA$1.88
Collab@Oxford3X23BR,2BA$0.80
MB Apartments2 Beds, 1 bath2BR,1BA$3.33
917 Dwight Way, Unit 917 Dwight917 Dwight Way1BR,1BA$3.38
BUSD Workforce Housing1BR IBA1BR,1BA$3.46
2000 Durant AveStudio, 1 bathStudio ,1BA$3.55
FOUND Study Downtown BerkeleyA2 (1 Bed/1 Bath)1BR,1BA$2.95
1919 Curtis St0 Beds, 1 BathsStudio ,1BA$3.52

Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University

From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.

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The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Central Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

Ranked #8

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
Central Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Central Berkeley Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Central Berkeley?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Central Berkeley is under $1,750.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Central Berkeley?

The cheapest apartment in Central Berkeley is Helios which is listed at $950, while the average apartment in Central Berkeley costs $9,995.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Central Berkeley?

Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 319 regular apartments in Central Berkeley that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Central Berkeley?

Cheap apartments in Central Berkeley have an average cost of $2,130 which is $7,865 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Central Berkeley.

Expert Rental Resources

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

Helpful Local Expert Guides

decorative image for A San Francisco Local Expert’s Guide to the Top Budget-Friendly Bay Area Neighborhoods to Rent article

A San Francisco Local Expert’s Guide to the Top Budget-Friendly Bay Area Neighborhoods to Rent

Written by: Shannon Hilson

If you’re anything like me, the thought of San Francisco is synonymous with concepts like creativity, character, and quirky local style.

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Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco

Written by: Shannon Hilson

Naturally, going away to college or university is super exciting in and of itself. It’s the prelude to the rest of your life, not to mention an unforgettable experience all its own.

decorative image for Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers article

Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers

Written by: Shannon Hilson

Deciding to move to San Francisco for work is a huge deal. San Fran is exciting and just weird enough to let you know you’re in for an amazing adventure, right from day one.

decorative image for Bay Living Like a Local: The Insiders Guide to Life and Renting in San Francisco, CA article

Bay Living Like a Local: The Insiders Guide to Life and Renting in San Francisco, CA

Written by: Shannon Hilson

San Francisco is so much more than just postcard-perfect views of cable cars and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Written by: Robin Stewart

Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.

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Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.

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Creative Ways Developers Reimagine Retail Spaces as Residential Units

Written by: Robin Stewart

Adaptive reuse is when a commercial property is converted and repurposed. The real estate industry has embraced a growing number of these projects.

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Neighborhood and Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent

Written by: Robin Stewart

Apartment-hunting can be a gargantuan task. Renters have a wish list of items—some luxuries, some necessities—but finding what you seek in the right place is perhaps the most important part of the journey.