Cheap Apartments for Rent in Bloomington, IL from $525 (194 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Bloomington.

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Cortez Apartments
$825 - $940

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$825 - $940
Total Monthly Price$825 - $940
1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Cortez Apartments

2506-2512 E Washington StBloomington, IL 61704
Affordability
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property at 316 E Locust St
$825 - $845
Studio Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

316 E Locust St

BloomingtonIL61701

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable 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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property at 1106 N Mclean St
$995
1 Bedroom Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

1106 N Mclean St

BloomingtonIL61701

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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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 710 N Lee St
$1,240

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$1,240
Total Monthly Price$1,240
2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent
Available Now

710 N Lee St

BloomingtonIL61701
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1207 Orchard Rd, Unit 3
$1,250

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$1,250
Total Monthly Price$1,250
2 Bedroom Apartment Available Oct 1

1207 Orchard Rd, Unit 3

1207 Orchard RdBloomington, IL 61704
property at 928 W Grove St
$1,275

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$1,275
Total Monthly Price$1,275
3 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo for Rent
Available Now
Cost Per Sq.Ft.

928 W Grove St, Unit 1

928 W Grove St
BloomingtonIL61701

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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Bloomington, IL Local Guide

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Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Bloomington, IL

Pricing Updated: 09/12/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Bloomington, IL area range in price from $546 to $9,389 with an overall median price of $1,030. Here is today’s list neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Bloomington Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Downtown Bloomington$1,030$54679

Cheapest Available Bloomington Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Bloomington, IL is a Studio unit found at Washington Senior Apartments in the Downtown Bloomington neighborhood priced from $546. 1208Major in the Downtown Normal neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $785. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Bloomington apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Washington Senior ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$546
1208Major0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$785
Cortez ApartmentsUnfurnished1BR,1BA$825
Class Act Realty1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$840
Broadmoor Park Apartments1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$845

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Bloomington, IL

As of September 12, 2026 the best value apartment in the Bloomington area is the $0.35 price per square foot 902 S University St Model at 902 S University St in the in the Downtown Normal neighborhood starting from $700. The second greatest value Bloomington apartment is the 4 Balcony Renovated Model at The Social on Hovey starting at $749 with a $0.49 price per square foot in the Downtown Normal neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Bloomington apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
902 S University St902 S University St5BR,3BA$0.35
The Social on Hovey4 Balcony Renovated4BR,4BA$0.49
The Social at Illinois State4x4 Furnished Townhome4BR,4BA$0.47
1006 Samantha StPer Student for 22BR,1.5BA$0.52
605 Kingsley St4 person rate4BR,3BA$0.48
200 S LindenRent per Person for 22BR,1BA$0.58
21 Flora WayPer Person for 22BR,1.5BA$0.52
701 FranklinApt 13BR,1BA$0.48
105 E Locust St105 E Locust St4BR,1BA$0.58
113 W Willow St2 person Rate2BR,1BA$0.73

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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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

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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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Bloomington Overview

Bloomington is a city located in the heart of Illinois with a population of 78,730 according to the 2014 census. People love to visit the numerous shopping outlets and its noted historical landmarks. This place has plenty of activities to explore, making it a great place to live within one of our Bloomington apartments.

Why live in Bloomington, IL?

The city of Bloomington attracts people from all areas of Central Illinois because of its numerous retailers located in a concentrated area. You have Bergners, Best Buy, Home Depot, Sears, Van Maur, Sam�s Club as well as Walmart to name a few. These businesses are just the tip of the iceberg in all the activities this town has for you to explore. You can also enjoy art, checking out the historical sites, visiting fine dining establishments and enjoying the nightlife. Many families make come for a fun-filled weekend excursion or day trip during the summertime. You can experience the friendliness of everyone, when you live in one of our apartments here in Bloomington.

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Bloomington, IL

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Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Bloomington, IL Rentals by Map

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See the most popular apartments and homes in Bloomington, IL

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Bloomington Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Bloomington?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Bloomington is under $845.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Bloomington?

The cheapest apartment in Bloomington is Cortez Apartments which is listed at $825, while the average apartment in Bloomington costs $1,030.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Bloomington?

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 17 regular apartments in Bloomington 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 Bloomington?

Cheap apartments in Bloomington have an average cost of $392 which is $638 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Bloomington.

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.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Written by: Robin Stewart

The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

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Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My!

Written by: Robin Stewart

Where do you see yourself? When you think of home, sweet home, are you in a 3/2 apartment? Dreaming of a tall townhome? Maybe an industrial loft heavy on cool vibes is on your visioning board.

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Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags

Written by: Robin Stewart

Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

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First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently

Written by: Robin Stewart

Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.