
Cheap 1 Bedroom Apartments for Rent in Chicago, IL from $640 (1,316 Rentals) Page 3 of 27


Total Monthly Price
3420 W Irving Park Rd, Unit 21

5649 W Wellington Ave, Unit #2N

4855 N Kimball Ave, Unit 3

The Draper

Post Chicago

3649 W Montrose Ave

Parkway Apartments

The Versailles Apartments

The Flamingo Apartments
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2412 N Kilbourn Ave

4850 W Wrightwood Ave

4850 N Lamon Ave

7351 N Damen Ave

Lawrence Lofts

Lakeside Apartments

Sheridan Apartments

Total Monthly Price
5665 N Ridge Ave

Total Monthly Price
6136 W School St, Unit GARDEN

1654 Pratt, Unit 1
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Moving to Chicago? This essential relocation guide offers a complete checklist for new residents, covering finding the right neighborhood, setting up utilities (ComEd, People’s Gas), and mastering high-rise moving logistics and vehicle registration.

7353 N Damen Ave, Unit 7353 North Damen Ave

7353 N Damen Ave

Total Monthly Price
3812 N Ashland Ave, Unit 1Main

1241 N Milwaukee Ave, Unit 507

Total Monthly Price
6423 N Claremont Ave, Unit # 1

5401 Cornell by 3L Living

The Vivian

5137 W Windsor Ave

1628 Sherwin

Total Monthly Price
6019 W Higgins Ave, Unit 2-D
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Total Monthly Price
4342 N Damen Ave, Unit H01F

7333 Ridge

7609 N Bosworth Ave

1333 W Birchwood Ave, Unit 1333 West Birchwood Ave

4901 W Cullom Ave

1154 W Lunt Ave

6702 S Wood St

6612 S St Lawrence Ave

3051 N Austin Ave

561 W 18th St
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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.

6900 S South Shore Drive

4901 S Drexel

Total Monthly Price
4653 N Major Ave, Unit 2S

Total Monthly Price
3718 N Hoyne Ave, Unit 2

Total Monthly Price
3859 N Oconto Ave, Unit G

Total Monthly Price
4051 W Melrose St

Total Monthly Price
1619 N McVicker Ave, Unit J09P

Total Monthly Price
5487 S Drexel Ave, Unit 2

1826 S Trumbull Ave, Unit Basement Unit

3043 W Montrose Ave, Unit B
Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs
Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.
Chicago, IL Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Chicago?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Studio Apartments | $2,041 | $595 | $8,604 |
| Chicago 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,479 | $640 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,091 | $762 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,741 | $883 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,863 | $924 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 5 Bedroom Apartments | $7,461 | $1,995 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 6 Bedroom Apartments | $6,960 | $6,700 | $7,350 |
Explore Chicago
Chicago, IL Area Reviews
Nicole • 4+ years in Chicago
April 10, 2026Big city challenges with traffic but also provides the amenities of the city you can't find elsewhere
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Chicago Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Chicago?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Chicago is under $724.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Chicago?
The cheapest apartment in Chicago is West Haven Park II - B which is listed at $660, while the average apartment in Chicago costs $6,817.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Chicago?
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 3,655 regular apartments in Chicago 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 Chicago?
Cheap apartments in Chicago have an average cost of $471 which is $6,346 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Chicago.
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

A Local Expert’s Guide To 10 Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent in Chicago
Written by: Nicole Harms
I’m Nicole, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Chicago, IL. As a resident of the Chicago area for over 20 years, I’ve learned which neighborhoods are great and which are best avoided.

Top Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in Chicago
Written by: Nicole Harms
With world-class museums lining its streets, Chicago is a place people go to learn. It’s not surprising, therefore, that it’s also home to multiple colleges and universities with national and global reputations.

Best Neighborhoods to Rent in Near Chicago's Top Employers
Written by: Nicole Harms
Whenever life takes me into the city, I’m always impressed with the sheer amount of industry and commerce that it holds. With all of that commerce comes a wide range of employment options.

Explore the Windy City (But Watch for Falling Ice) - An Insider's Guide to Renting in Chicago
Written by: Nicole Harms
From Lake Shore Drive to the O’Hare Airport, the city of Chicago is a study in diversity, resilience, and culture.
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.