Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Central Berkeley Neighborhood of Berkeley, CA from $700 (32 Rentals)

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

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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2210 MLK
5 to 6 Bedroom Apartments

2210 MLK

2210 Martin Luther King Jr WayBerkeley, CA 94704
Furnished
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Rise at Berkeley
Studio Apartments

Rise at Berkeley

2025 Kala Bagai WayBerkeley, CA 94704
Student Housing
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Oregon Park Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

Oregon Park Apartments

1425 Oregon StBerkeley, CA 94702
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included

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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Roosevelt
1 Bedroom Apartments

Roosevelt

2132 Roosevelt AveBerkeley, CA 94703
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1176 University
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

1176 University

1176 University AveBerkeley, CA 94702
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Panoramic Northside
Studio to 5 Bedroom Apartments

Panoramic Northside

1752 Shattuck AveBerkeley, CA 94709
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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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2115 Haste St
1 Bedroom Apartments

2115 Haste St

2115 Haste StBerkeley, CA 94704
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1613 6th St
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

1613 6th St

1613 6th StBerkeley, CA 94710
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1951 Chestnut St
Studio Apartments

1951 Chestnut St

1951 Chestnut StBerkeley, CA 94702

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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1930 Channing Way
Studio to 4 Bedroom Apartments

1930 Channing Way

1930 Channing WayBerkeley, CA 94704
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2218 Haste St
Studio Apartments

2218 Haste St

2218 Haste StBerkeley, CA 94704
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Collab@Oxford
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Collab@Oxford

1773 Oxford StBerkeley, CA 94709
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2227 Carleton St
3 Bedroom Apartments

2227 Carleton St

2227 Carleton StBerkeley, CA 94704
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Shattuck Studios
Studio Apartments

Shattuck Studios

2711 Shattuck AveBerkeley, CA 94705
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1725 Oxford St
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

1725 Oxford St

1725 Oxford StBerkeley, CA 94709
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1301 Gilman St
1 Bedroom Apartments

1301 Gilman St

1301 Gilman StAlbany, CA 94706
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1213 San Pablo Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

1213 San Pablo Ave

1213 San Pablo AveAlbany, CA 94706
  • Utilities Included

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.

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 3 Beds unit found at The Lair priced from $775. Helios has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $950. Here are the most affordable Central Berkeley apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Lair3BR/2.0BA3BR,2BA$775
HeliosShared Double1BR,1BA$950
Aquatic @ U0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$995
Rise at Berkeley0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$999
2225 HearstFirst Floor5BR,2BA$1,140
Ace Berkeley2BR/2B - Deluxe - B102BR,2BA$1,375
1176 University0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,495
RUMI at KingPrivate Bedroom & bathroom in 2B2B2BR,2BA$1,600
2813 Shattuck AveStudioStudio,1BA$1,625

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Central Berkeley, CA

As of October 22, 2025 the best value apartment in the Central Berkeley area is the $0.74 price per square foot 2BR/2.0BA Model at The Lair in the in the Downtown Berkeley neighborhood starting from $775. The second greatest value Central Berkeley apartment is the 3BR/1.0BA Model at 1128 - 1130 Bancroft starting at $2,765 with a $2.77 price per square foot in the West 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$0.74
1128 - 1130 Bancroft3BR/1.0BA3BR,1BA$2.77
2342 Hilgard Ave, Unit 23422342 Hilgard Ave2BR,1BA$1.10
1433 Dwight Way2 Bedroom, 1 Bath2BR,1BA$2.83
1668 Shattuck Ave, Unit 21668 Shattuck Ave2BR,1BA$3.01
Hillside VillageB22BR,1.5BA$3.04
1176 University0BR/1.0BAStudio ,1BA$1.99
919 Dwight Way, Unit 919 Dwight Way919 Dwight Way1BR,1BA$2.86
Aquatic @ U0BR/1.0BAStudio ,1BA$2.60
Rise at Berkeley0BR/1.0BAStudio ,1BA$2.69

Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know

From the lounge to the laundry room, understand your rights and responsibilities in shared apartment spaces. Get tips on pet rules, noise, and security.

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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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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 #4

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

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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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 $1,625.

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 $4,400.

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 286 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 $1,911 which is $2,489 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Central Berkeley.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

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.

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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Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Back in the day when I rented one of my first apartments, the property didn’t even have laundry in the building. Now, rental properties are often competing against each other to provide the best amenities.

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How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everything is a negotiation in real estate! 

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The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters

Written by: Trey Huguley

The move-in inspection checklist is a crucial tool for both tenants and landlords. This checklist, provided by the team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com, helps document the condition of an apartment at the time of move-in.