Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Berkeley Neighborhood of Berkeley, CA from $400 (145 Rentals)

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

property at 2531 Benvenue Ave

$890

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$890
Total Monthly Price
$890

1 Bedroom, 0.5 Bath Home for Rent

Available Jun 1

2531 Benvenue Ave

BerkeleyCA94704

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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 1467 Russell St

$1,575 - $2,100

1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

1467 Russell St

BerkeleyCA94702

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

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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
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Aug 17

Hillside Village

1801 Shattuck AveBerkeley, CA 94709
Student Housing
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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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Downtown Berkeley, Berkeley, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown Berkeley Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Berkeley area of San Francisco, CA is a 4 Beds unit found at FOUND Study Southside Berkeley priced from $845. Helios has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $950. Here are the most affordable Downtown Berkeley apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
FOUND Study Southside Berkeley4x2 - Double - Berkeley 26-274BR,2BA$845
HeliosBed rental - Shared Double Occupancy Room1BR,1BA$950
2737 Durant Avenue0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,125
2731 Durant Ave1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1,195
Rise at Berkeley0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,398
Acton Courtyard2 Bedroom 1 Bath2BR,1BA$1,618
BoscoUnit 3016BR,3BA$1,688
2000 Durant AveStudio, 1 bathStudio,1BA$1,775

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Berkeley, CA

As of May 17, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Berkeley area is the $1.80 price per square foot 1BR/1.0BA Model at The Den in the in the Downtown Berkeley neighborhood starting from $2,450. The second greatest value Downtown Berkeley apartment is the 3012College Model at 3012 College Ave starting at $3,500 with a $2.92 price per square foot in the Downtown Berkeley neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Berkeley apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
The Den1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.80
3012 College Ave3012College3BR,2BA$2.92
2737 Durant Avenue0BR/1.0BAStudio ,1BA$0.95
1600 Edith St, Unit A1600 Edith St3BR,1BA$1.74
1668 Shattuck Ave, Unit 21668 Shattuck Ave2BR,1BA$3.01
The Durant2x12BR,1BA$1.88
1467 Russell St1467 Russell St1BR,1BA$2.63
Student | Identity Logan ParkAerial 191BR,1BA$2.57
FOUND Study Downtown BerkeleyA2 (1 Bed/1 Bath)1BR,1BA$3.05
SHARED & PRIVATE Dorm Style Units Available at The Telegraph Commons! 2 blocks from UCB!1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.82

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
Downtown Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

Ranked #5

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
Downtown Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you Lifestyle Ratings of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, including Berkeley. Lifestyle Ratings show you the best fit for your needs and interests. This takes in many factors including our Star Ratings to compare for outdoor amenities like tennis courts, luxury amenities, kid and pet-friendly communities, availability of transit options, in addition to floorplans, availablity, and pricing. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Berkeley Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Berkeley?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Berkeley is under $1,775.

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

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Berkeley is Helios which is listed at $950, while the average apartment in Downtown Berkeley costs $3,500.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown 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 252 regular apartments in Downtown 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 Downtown Berkeley?

Cheap apartments in Downtown Berkeley have an average cost of $2,536 which is $964 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown 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.

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