
Cheap 1 Bedroom Apartments for Rent in Chicago, IL from $640 (1,452 Rentals) Page 3 of 30


1904 E 79th St, Unit 2nd Floor

4058 W Dickens Ave

Total Monthly Price
3155 N Long Ave, Unit 1

3155 N Long Ave

2406 N Kilbourn Ave

Lakeside Grant Manor

Academy at Drexel

4038 W Dickens Ave

3982 S Archer Ave
Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts
Create a productive work-from-home apartment setup, even in a small space or studio. Discover layout ideas, desk solutions, and organization tips that actually work.

3135 N Tripp Ave

Total Monthly Price
2941 N Lockwood Ave, Unit 1

Total Monthly Price
3859 N Oconto Ave, Unit G

Total Monthly Price
3940 N Pulaski Rd, Unit 2B

Total Monthly Price
1417 W 19th St, Unit 3R

The Boulevard at OC Living

McCrory Senior Apartments

The Townhouse Apartments

5835 W 63rd St

The Versailles Apartments
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.

5510 W Cortland St, Unit Garden

5710 N Rockwell St, Unit garden

1826 S Trumbull Ave, Unit Basement Unit

6942 S Crandon Ave, Unit 6948-3

The Flamingo Apartments

The Draper

7333 Ridge

4848 W Wrightwood Ave

Parkway Apartments

4038 W Dickens Ave, Unit G
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.

3547 S Hermitage Ave, Unit Top

4009 S Calumet Ave, Unit G

1333 W Birchwood Ave, Unit 303

2234 E 70th St, Unit #2

Lakeside Apartments

3051 N Austin Ave

Lawrence Lofts

Total Monthly Price
5665 N Ridge Ave

Total Monthly Price
4011 S Calumet Ave, Unit G

211 S Campbell Ave
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.

Plaisance Apartments

City Hyde Park

Post Chicago

221 E 78th St

5401 Cornell by 3L Living

836 N Massasoit Ave, Unit 2B

The Sovereign

1333 W Birchwood Ave, Unit 1333 West Birchwood Ave

Total Monthly Price
5945 N Paulina St, Unit 2

2622 N Burling St, Unit coach house
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.
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 | $2,073 | $595 | $9,999 |
| Chicago 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,462 | $640 | $9,075 |
| Chicago 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,058 | $762 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,702 | $883 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 4 Bedroom Apartments | $4,306 | $1,025 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 5 Bedroom Apartments | $5,453 | $2,995 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 6 Bedroom Apartments | $19,280 | $7,000 | $10,000+ |
Browse Top Apartments in Chicago
See all Apartments in ChicagoExplore 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 $726.
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 $2,323.
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 2,721 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 $472 which is $1,851 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

The Windy City Price Tag: Your Complete Guide to the Cost of Living in Chicago
Written by: Nicole Harms
When choosing a place to live, there are many things you must consider. Your employer, your shopping preferences, and even schools are all important to think about. Yet cost of living is also important to know and plan for.

Best Places to Live Near Chicago: 5 Cities That Keep the Windy City Accessible
Written by: Nicole Harms
I’m Nicole, you’re ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Chicago. There’s no denying I love the Windy City. Yet there’s also no denying that rental homes in Chicago can be pricy, small, and hard to find.

Chicago Relocation 101: Mastering Utilities, Registration, and the CTA
Written by: Nicole Harms
Moving to a new city is always an exciting time, especially one as vibrant and diverse as Chicago. With world-class museums, a breathtaking lakefront, and numerous employment opportunities, there’s much to love about this city.

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

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.

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.

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.