
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Champaign Neighborhood of Champaign, IL from $300 (103 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Champaign area of Champaign.


Windcrest Apartments

1002SEC

605 Univerisity

132 E University Ave

Garden Court

Rally - Free Parking Included

Total Monthly Price
The Courtyard on Randolph

The Inman by Royse + Brinkmeyer

Midtown Center
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.

Alley Lofts at The Pilot

905 South Locust Street

706 S Locust St

The Gardens at 304 E Clark

308 East Armory

Armory Manor

207 E Healey St

312 E White St

Lofts On Green

Douglass Square Apartments
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.

Prairie Place

Clark Street House

Bankier Apartments

1106 Euclid St

Smith Apartments @ 507 Church

511 W University Ave

Smith Apartments @ 511 W Church

108 S 4th St

510 S Elm

Chalmers Manor
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.

105 E John St

903-909 S Locust St

Smith Apartments @ 1106 Second

103 E Chalmers St

Stoughton Street Apartments

913 W Church St.

606 S Prairie St

608 E White St

Green Street

408 E Stoughton St
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.

Daniel Tower

510 Stoughton

Hessel on the Park

402 S 5th St

202 E Chalmers St

106 S 4th St

202 East Springfield Avenue

906 S Locust St

Illini Manor

The Village
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.
Downtown Champaign, Champaign, IL Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Downtown Champaign?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Champaign Studio Apartments | $1,529 | $615 | $2,470 |
| Downtown Champaign 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,505 | $575 | $2,340 |
| Downtown Champaign 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,472 | $685 | $2,385 |
| Downtown Champaign 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,497 | $859 | $2,900 |
| Downtown Champaign 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,486 | $699 | $3,800 |
| Downtown Champaign 5 Bedroom Apartments | $2,400 | $2,400 | $2,400 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 103 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown Champaign Neighborhood of Champaign, IL.
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Downtown Champaign, Champaign, IL Local Guide
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Cheapest Available Downtown Champaign Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Champaign area of Champaign, IL is a 4 Beds unit found at 305JOH priced from $590. 1002SEC has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 4 Beds apartment currently listed from $699. Here are the most affordable Downtown Champaign apartments for rent in Champaign, IL:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 305JOH | Spacious 4 Bed/3 Bath Apartment on the corner o... | 4BR,3BA | $590 |
| 1002SEC | Fall 2026 Leasing – 4-Bedroom, 2-Bath | 4BR,2BA | $699 |
| Windcrest Apartments | 1 Bedroom / 1 Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $800 |
| 312 S State St | 1 Beds, 1 Baths | 1BR,1BA | $825 |
| 58 E Healey | 58 E Healey - 203 | 1BR,1BA | $825 |
| Rally - Free Parking Included | 1BR / 1BA | 1BR,1BA | $925 |
| 309 E Springfield Ave (New Construction) | 309 E Springfield Ave (ICON) - 616 -... | 4BR,4BA | $950 |
| The Inman by Royse + Brinkmeyer | The Ashford | Studio,1BA | $1,015 |
| 501 S Sixth | 501 S Sixth - 205-A | 3BR,2BA | $1,030 |
| 307 E Daniel | 307 E Daniel - 302-C | Studio,1BA | $1,035 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Champaign, IL
As of July 12, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Champaign area is the $0.64 price per square foot D1 Model at Campus Circle Urbana in the in the Downtown Champaign neighborhood starting from $899. The second greatest value Downtown Champaign apartment is the D3 Model at The Dean Campustown starting at $1,210 with a $0.93 price per square foot in the Downtown Champaign neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Champaign apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campus Circle Urbana | D1 | 4BR,4BA | $0.64 |
| The Dean Campustown | D3 | 4BR,4BA | $0.93 |
| 602 W Columbia Ave, Unit 1 | 602 W Columbia Ave | 3BR,1BA | $1.13 |
| 59JOH | 4 Bedroom Apartment @ First & John: Available N... | 4BR,3BA | $0.46 |
| Pfeffer Apartments - NOW LEASING AUGUST 2026 | Shared Apartment Individual Lease | 1BR,1BA | $0.58 |
| 202 E. Green St by Bankier Apartments | 4BR/3BA | 4BR,3BA | $0.82 |
| 810 S Oak | 810 S Oak - 11 | 2BR,1BA | $1.31 |
| 519 E. Green St by Bankier Apartments | 2 Beds, 2 baths | 2BR,2BA | $1.37 |
| 112 E. Green St by Bankier Apartments | 2 Bed 1 Bath - X Large - (NS) 112 E Green St. (... | 2BR,1BA | $1.25 |
| Windcrest Apartments | 1 Bedroom / 1 Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $1.38 |
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.
Read ArticleReal 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.
Read ArticleQuick 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.
Best Local Schools in Downtown Champaign, Champaign, IL
Central High School
Edison Middle School
School data provided by Great Schools
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Champaign Apartments
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Champaign?
The cheapest apartment in Downtown Champaign is Windcrest Apartments which is listed at $800, while the average apartment in Downtown Champaign costs $2,400.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown Champaign?
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 19 regular apartments in Downtown Champaign 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 Champaign?
Cheap apartments in Downtown Champaign have an average cost of $1,407 which is $993 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown Champaign.
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

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.

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.

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.

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.