
Cheap Apartments for Rent with Specials in Chicago, IL from $595 (69 Rentals)
Rental Listings with Specials.
Cheap Apartments in Chicago.


6900 S South Shore Drive

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4021 W Barry Ave, Unit Garden Unit

Prairie Shores

Plaisance Apartments

626 on the Park

The Pavilion Apartments

Academy at Drexel

Straits Row

Gramercy Row Apartments
The Windy City Price Tag: Your Complete Guide to the Cost of Living in Chicago
Chicago may cost more than the national average, but with the right neighborhood, a smart transit strategy, and a few local insider tips, living well in the Windy City is more achievable than you might think. Our local expert breaks down everything from rent and groceries to transportation and healthcare so you can plan your move with confidence.

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503 W Belmont Ave, Unit 4G

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6513 S Harvard Ave, Unit Garden Apt

Post Chicago

Algonquin Apartments

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4542 N Damen Ave, Unit 212

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4549 N Malden St

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537 W Arlington Pl, Unit 536-006

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1517 W Sherwin Ave

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1329 W Wilson Ave, Unit 607
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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6755 N Sheridan Rd

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1609 W Sherwin Ave

Hyde Park West

Wyndham Apartments

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1460 W Fargo Ave, Unit 301

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7608 N Sheridan Rd

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618 W Patterson, Unit 709

The Bryn - 5600 N Sheridan Rd

East Park Tower

1100 North Lasalle
Best Places to Live Near Chicago: 5 Cities That Keep the Windy City Accessible
Looking for a rental near Chicago? These five cities offer excellent options! From small-town charm to excellent business options, you can't go wrong!

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468 West Melrose

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2424 N Kedzie Blvd, Unit 2420-306

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3036 N Drake Ave, Unit 3036-1R

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2832 W Palmer St, Unit 206

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4004 N Bell Ave, Unit 1

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1517 W Howard St

The Edison

Upshore Residences

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3130 N. Lake Shore Drive

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3034 N Drake Ave, Unit #1R
Chicago Relocation 101: Mastering Utilities, Registration, and the CTA
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.

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4036 N Ashland Ave, Unit 4036-3E

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441 W. Oakdale

Clarendon Shores

63 E Lake

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1651 W Jonquil Ter

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7626 N Marshfield Ave

Canterbury Court Apartments

Pinnacle Apartments

Mont Clare

Tanglewood
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.
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 Local Guide
- Chicago Neighborhoods
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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 ArticleBest Neighborhoods to Rent in Near Chicago's Top Employers: A Guide for Renters
A Local Expert's Guide to The 10 Best Chicago Neighborhoods near Major Local Employers. Find your perfect Chicago, IL apartment, condo, or rental home today at ApartmentHomeLiving.com
Read ArticleA Local Expert's Top Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in Chicago
A Local Expert's guide to the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods Near Colleges in the Chicago, IL metro area for affordable living. Find your perfect Chicago Student apartment, condo, or rental home today at ApartmentHomeliving.com
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.
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Chicago, IL Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Chicago, IL
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.
