
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown DeKalb Neighborhood of Dekalb, IL from $400 (7 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown DeKalb area of Dekalb.


University Village Apartments
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.

The Terraces at Dekalb

University Heights Apartments

New Suburban Apartments
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.
Downtown DeKalb, Dekalb, IL Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Downtown DeKalb?
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Downtown DeKalb Studio Apartments | $777 | $575 | $1,400 |
Downtown DeKalb 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,022 | $635 | $1,629 |
Downtown DeKalb 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,064 | $450 | $1,900 |
Downtown DeKalb 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,199 | $789 | $1,500 |
Downtown DeKalb 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,514 | $1,090 | $2,150 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 7 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown DeKalb Neighborhood of Dekalb, IL.
See all Apartments in DekalbExplore Dekalb
Downtown DeKalb, Dekalb, IL Local Guide
- Nearby Dekalb neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Available Downtown DeKalb Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown DeKalb area of Dekalb, IL is a Studio unit found at The Terraces at Dekalb priced from $725. University Heights Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $780. Here are the most affordable Downtown DeKalb apartments for rent in Dekalb, IL:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
---|---|---|---|
The Terraces at Dekalb | Russell Road Studio | Studio,1BA | $725 |
University Heights Apartments | St | Studio,1BA | $780 |
The Terraces at Dekalb on Ridge Drive | Ridge Drive 1 Bed | 1BR,1BA | $825 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown DeKalb, IL
As of October 15, 2025 the best value apartment in the Downtown DeKalb area is the $0.98 price per square foot Barrington Plaza Realty.. Model at Barrington Plaza Realty in the in the Devonaire Farms neighborhood starting from $1,650. The second greatest value Downtown DeKalb apartment is the 410 N 4th St Model at 410 N 4th St, Unit 410.5 starting at $1,450 with a $1.21 price per square foot in the DeKalb neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown DeKalb apartments based on price per square foot:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
---|---|---|---|
Barrington Plaza Realty | Barrington Plaza Realty.. | 5BR,2BA | $0.98 |
410 N 4th St, Unit 410.5 | 410 N 4th St | 2BR,2BA | $1.21 |
Amber Manor | 3 Bedroom Two Bathroom | 3BR,2BA | $1.10 |
Colonial Apartments | 3 TH | 3BR,1.5BA | $1.20 |
1015 Market St, Unit A1 | 1015 Market St | 2BR,1.5BA | $1.50 |
Ashbury Court | 3 B | 3BR,1.5BA | $1.19 |
309 Ash Ct, Unit A | 309 Ash Ct | 2BR,1BA | $1.05 |
Lincolnshire West | 2bu | 2BR,1.5BA | $1.66 |
Eco Park | 2 | 2BR,2BA | $1.46 |
University Heights Apartments | St | Studio ,1BA | $1.80 |
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.
Pet Friendly LifestyleDowntown Dekalb, Dekalb, IL
Ranked #1
Among cities in Illinois for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
4.0Pet Friendly
Getting Around the Downtown DeKalb Neighborhood in Dekalb, IL
Walk Score®
82 / 100
Very Walkable
Most errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
78 / 100
Very Bikeable
Biking is convenient for most trips
Transit Score®
38 / 100
Some Transit
A few nearby public transportation options
What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?
- Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
- Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
- Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown DeKalb Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Downtown DeKalb?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown DeKalb is under $1,135.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown DeKalb?
The cheapest apartment in Downtown DeKalb is The Terraces at Dekalb on Ridge Drive which is listed at $825, while the average apartment in Downtown DeKalb costs $1,650.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown DeKalb?
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 45 regular apartments in Downtown DeKalb 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 Downtown DeKalb?
Cheap apartments in Downtown DeKalb have an average cost of $419 which is $1,231 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown DeKalb.
Expert Rental Resources
Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips
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.

How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Everything is a negotiation in real estate!

The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters
Written by: Trey Huguley
The move-in inspection checklist is a crucial tool for both tenants and landlords. This checklist, provided by the team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com, helps document the condition of an apartment at the time of move-in.

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
For many people, obstacles can arise during the rental application process for a variety of issues.

The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Hard truth. Moving is never easy. I’ve done it all – from local moves to cross-country relocations From packing to unpacking the last box, I have found moving to be an exhausting, expensive and stressful experience every time.