Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Berkeley Neighborhood of Berkeley, CA from $500 (114 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown 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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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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property at 2509 Dana St

$1,700 - $2,400

2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

2509 Dana St

BerkeleyCA94704

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 1932 Haste St

$1,899

1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

1932 Haste St

BerkeleyCA94704

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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Hillside Village
$2,020 - $6,900
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

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

Hillside Village

1801 Shattuck AveBerkeley, CA 94709
Student Housing
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2122 Dwight Way
Rent Specials
$2,111 - $2,216
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,111 - $2,216
Total Monthly Price
$2,111 - $2,216
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Aug 2

2122 Dwight Way

2122 Dwight WayBerkeley, CA 94704
Student Housing
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Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

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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 3 Beds unit found at Collab@Oxford priced from $612. 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 Downtown Berkeley apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Collab@Oxford3X23BR,2BA$612
FOUND Study Southside Berkeley4x2 - Double - Berkeley 26-274BR,2BA$845
1770 La LomaThird Floor1BR,1BA$850
HeliosHelios - Bed rental - Shared Double 2026 - 2027...1BR,1BA$950
The Lair3BR/2.0BA3BR,2BA$992
Wesley House0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,003
2737 Durant Avenue0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,031
RUMI at King2BR/2.0BA2BR,2BA$1,062
2731 Durant Ave1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1,195
The Den3BR/2.0BA3BR,2BA$1,350

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Berkeley, CA

As of July 07, 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 D1 Model at ArtHaus Dwight starting at $1,600 with a $1.88 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
ArtHaus DwightD14BR,2BA$1.88
1668 Shattuck Ave, Unit 21668 Shattuck Ave2BR,1BA$3.01
Collab@Oxford3X23BR,2BA$0.80
ArtHaus TelegraphCal Suite4BR,2BA$1.73
1590 Oregon St2 Beds, 1 Baths2BR,1BA$3.21
The Lair1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$2.30
1467 Russell St1467 Russell St1BR,1BA$2.63
FOUND Study Downtown BerkeleyA2 (1 Bed/1 Bath)1BR,1BA$3.05
Telegraph Commons1BR/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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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
Downtown 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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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 $1,350.

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

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Berkeley is 1770 La Loma which is listed at $850, while the average apartment in Downtown Berkeley costs $10,011.

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 308 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 $2,438 which is $7,573 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.

Helpful Local Expert Guides

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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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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.

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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.

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Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

Written by: Robin Stewart

Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

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Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention

Written by: Robin Stewart

There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

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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.