Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Central Berkeley Neighborhood of Berkeley, CA from $700 (88 Rentals)

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

property at 1467 Russell St

$1,595 - $2,195

1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

1467 Russell St

BerkeleyCA94702

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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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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Hillside Village
$1,970 - $7,300
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,970 - $7,300
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Hillside Village

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

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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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

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Sterling Haste
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Sterling Haste

2110 Haste StBerkeley, CA 94704
Student Housing
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2210 MLK
5 to 6 Bedroom Apartments

2210 MLK

2210 Martin Luther King Jr WayBerkeley, CA 94704
Student Housing
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2132 Roosevelt Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

2132 Roosevelt Ave

2132 Roosevelt AveBerkeley, CA 94703
Student Housing
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Oregon Park Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

Oregon Park Apartments

1425 Oregon StBerkeley, CA 94702
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included
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2360 Ellsworth
1 to 6 Bedroom Apartments

2360 Ellsworth

2360 Ellsworth StBerkeley, CA 94704
Student Housing
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Durant Park Apartment
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Durant Park Apartment

2226-2230 Durant AveBerkeley, CA 94704
  • Utilities Included
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1176 University
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

1176 University

1176 University AveBerkeley, CA 94702
property at 1934 Stuart St

$1,600

6 Bedroom, 2 Bath Townhome for Rent

Available Now

1934 Stuart St

BerkeleyCA94703
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Acton Courtyard
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Acton Courtyard

1370 University AveBerkeley, CA 94704

Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

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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 $748. FOUND Study Southside Berkeley has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 4 Beds apartment currently listed from $797. Here are the most affordable Central Berkeley apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Collab@Oxford2X12BR,1BA$748
FOUND Study Southside Berkeley4x2 - Double - Berkeley Fall 264BR,2BA$797
HeliosShared Double1BR,1BA$950
The Lair3BR/2.0BA3BR,2BA$1,099
Rise at Berkeley0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,237
Aquatic @ U0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,348
Ace Berkeley2BR/2B - Deluxe - B102BR,2BA$1,375
Acton Courtyard2 Bedroom 1 Bath2BR,1BA$1,618

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Central Berkeley, CA

As of May 03, 2026 the best value apartment in the Central Berkeley area is the $2.48 price per square foot 2BR/2.0BA Model at The Lair in the in the Downtown Berkeley neighborhood starting from $2,310. The second greatest value Central Berkeley apartment is the 1694 Oxford St Model at 1694 Oxford St starting at $1,200 with a $1.36 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.
The Lair2BR/2.0BA2BR,2BA$2.48
1694 Oxford St1694 Oxford St3BR,1BA$1.36
1600 Edith St, Unit A1600 Edith St3BR,1BA$1.74
1668 Shattuck Ave, Unit 21668 Shattuck Ave2BR,1BA$3.01
Collab@Oxford3X23BR,2BA$1.47
MB Apartments2 Beds, 1 bath2BR,1BA$3.33
1219 Parker St, Unit D1219 Parker St1BR,1BA$3.46
2000 Durant AveStudio, 1 bathStudio ,1BA$3.55
FOUND Study Downtown BerkeleyA2 (1 Bed/1 Bath)1BR,1BA$3.05
Rise at Berkeley0BR/1.0BAStudio ,1BA$3.33

A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back

Learn the property manager's true secrets to a zero-deduction move-out. Use this step-by-step guide on documentation, cleaning, and lease-reading to reclaim your security deposit.

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10 Hidden Costs of Renting You Should Budget for Before Signing a Lease

Avoid financial stress when renting. Learn about the 10 most common hidden costs—from pet fees to utilities—you must budget for before you sign a lease.

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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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The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.

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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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Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

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 #9

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 $1,618.

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 $3,050.

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 534 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 $2,140 which is $910 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

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Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back

Written by: Lauren Harrington

I’m going to talk with you as a seasoned property manager and friend. So, let’s start with your security deposit. I want you to think about this guide as insider information. You deserve your deposit back.

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Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article is based on first-hand experience managing apartment communities and helping renters adapt to their spaces after moving in.

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

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.

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Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.