Cheap Apartments for Rent in the River East Neighborhood of Chicago, IL from $900 (237 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the River East area of Chicago.

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Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

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property at 777 N Michigan Ave

$1,800

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,800
Total Monthly Price
$1,800

Studio, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Jun 1

777 N Michigan Ave, Unit 904, Unit 904

777 N Michigan Ave
ChicagoIL60611

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.

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property at 130 N Garland Ct

$2,000 - $2,200

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,000 - $2,200
Total Monthly Price
$2,000 - $2,200

Studio, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Now

130 N Garland Ct

ChicagoIL60602

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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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River East, Chicago, IL Local Guide

Cheapest Available River East Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the River East area of Chicago, IL is a 1 Bed unit found at Maple priced from $1,230. 11 W. Division has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,295. Here are the most affordable River East apartments for rent in Chicago, IL:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Maple1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$1,230
11 W. DivisionStudioStudio,1BA$1,295
1036 N. DearbornStudioStudio,1BA$1,375
18 E. ElmStudioStudio,1BA$1,445
211 E. DelawareStudioStudio,1BA$1,445
25 E. DelawareStudio 1Studio,1BA$1,445
The Oliver on LaSalleStudioStudio,1BA$1,504
244 E. PearsonStudioStudio,1BA$1,675
The AlfredA3Studio,1BA$1,795

Best Value Apartments for Rent in River East, IL

As of May 25, 2026 the best value apartment in the River East area is the $2.11 price per square foot Two Bedroom 1324 sq ft Model at 440 N. Wabash Ave. in the in the Magnificent Mile neighborhood starting from $2,800. The second greatest value River East apartment is the 2-BR/2BA Model at 750 N. Rush starting at $3,557 with a $2.88 price per square foot in the Magnificent Mile neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for River East apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
440 N. Wabash Ave.Two Bedroom 1324 sq ft2BR,2BA$2.11
750 N. Rush2-BR/2BA2BR,2BA$2.88
10 E. Ontario St.1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$2.11
18 E. Elm2 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom2BR,2BA$2.94
1133 N. Dearborn1-BR/1BA1BR,1BA$2.89
Columbus Plaza1 Bedroom Elite1BR,1BA$2.99
545 N Dearborn St, Unit 2201B545 N Dearborn St1BR,1BA$3.08
127 Maple AveL11BR,1BA$2.93
Fisher Building ApartmentsS1Studio ,1BA$3.08
Maple1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$2.28

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.

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Best 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

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A 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

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Real 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.

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Quick 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.

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Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you our detailed rental search system called 'Lifestyle ratings', composed of neighborhoods, cities and towns, and rental properties across Illinois including River East, Chicago, and the greater Chicago area. LifeStyle Ratings are the best way to sort through finding a place to live - beyond price and floorplan. This takes in many factors including rankings of the best places for the best outdoor access, luxury amenities, features that make it easier to raise kids, raising pets, transit options, and other valuable search options. Find Lifestyle Search in the filter options (above). Happy Searching!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap River East Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in River East?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in River East is under $1,795.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in River East?

The cheapest apartment in River East is Maple which is listed at $1,230, while the average apartment in River East costs $16,519.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in River East?

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 17 regular apartments in River East 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 River East?

Cheap apartments in River East have an average cost of $745 which is $15,774 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in River East.

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

decorative image for A Local Expert’s Guide To 10 Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent in Chicago article

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.

decorative image for Top Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in Chicago article

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.

decorative image for Best Neighborhoods to Rent in Near Chicago's Top Employers article

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.

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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

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Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article is based on first-hand experience managing apartment communities and helping renters adapt to their spaces after moving in.

decorative image for What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much article

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.

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Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.