
Cheap Apartments for Rent in Chicago, IL from $600 with Swimming Pool (53 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Chicago.


Midpointe

The Winnie

The Draper

The Flamingo Apartments

The Lawrence House

Straits Row

The Pavilion Apartments

Total Monthly Price
839 W Sheridan Rd

Total Monthly Price
3732 N Pine Grove Ave
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.

401 E Ontario St

The Rosie

63 E Lake

The Sally

Regents Park

Presidential Towers

211 E. Ohio St.

Hollywood Towers

Luxury condo unit

600 N Lake Shore Dr
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.

55 E Erie St

R+D659

1636 N Wells St

1850 N. Clark St.

Courts of the Fountains

Tanglewood

Mont Clare

Heritage Senior Apartments - 55 and over

Green Oaks Apartments

Manchester Court Apartments
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!

Total Monthly Price
Orion Prospect

The Element

Terraces of Elk Grove

The Eclipse at 1450

Willow Hill

Park Ridge Commons

ReNew Des Plaines North & South

The Bennington

Fairway Green Apartments

Orchard Lakes Apartments
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.

Glen Oaks Commons

Forest Cove Apartments

The GLEN VIEW

Huntington Square

Mount Prospect Greens

Lotus Gardens Apartments

The Residences at Hamilton Lakes

Ashton Arlington Heights

The Eagles

Total Monthly Price
District 1860
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 | $2,069 | $600 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,485 | $800 | $9,999 |
| Chicago 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,102 | $850 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,788 | $695 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 4 Bedroom Apartments | $4,402 | $1,025 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 5 Bedroom Apartments | $5,484 | $750 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 6 Bedroom Apartments | $11,716 | $1,795 | $10,000+ |
Browse Top Apartments in Chicago
See all Apartments in ChicagoExplore Chicago

Chicago, IL Local Guide
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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 ArticleNavigating 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.
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 $740.
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 $2,351.
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 3,621 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 $466 which is $1,885 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

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.

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.