
Cheap Apartments for Rent in Elgin, IL from $700 (57 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Elgin.


314 E Chicago St

320 Percy St, Unit 3

River's Landing Apartments

39 Surrey Dr

Squire Village Apartments

370 Bent St

Royal Ridge Apartments

363 Prairie St, Unit 4

Blackhawk Apartment Homes
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.

Hunter Ridge Apartments

Total Monthly Price
1320 Getzelman Dr, Unit 3

1300 Getzelman Dr

Wing Park Residence

Highland Springs

Seasons at Elgin

420 Prospect Blvd

Watermark at The Grove

Regency Apartments

Fox River Townhomes
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.

517 E Chicago St

River West Commons

1350 Getzelman Dr

1289 Abbott Dr

Roseanne Apartments

114 N Spring St

Elgin Artspace Lofts - For Artists Only

Westwind Tower

269 Douglas Ave

278 Douglas 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.

65 N Aldine St, Unit 2

119 Tennyson Ct

Elgin Tower Lofts

333 Raymond St

418 St Charles St

1493 Keystone Ct

1143 Bayside Rd

WC Kimball

Alfamerica LLC-398 E Chicago St

1124 Lake Terrace Rd
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.

82 Northshore Rd

516 Hendee St

Total Monthly Price
1900 at Canterfield Apartment Homes

The Villages at Canterfield

525 Ryan Ln

Authentix South Elgin

Springs At South Elgin

Panton Mill Station

Total Monthly Price
Reserve Randall Road

809 E Main St
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Elgin, IL Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Elgin?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap Elgin Studio Apartments | $1,895 | $1,025 | $5,676 |
| Cheap Elgin 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,855 | $826 | $2,931 |
| Cheap Elgin 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,239 | $967 | $4,237 |
| Cheap Elgin 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,762 | $2,150 | $3,657 |
| Cheap Elgin 4 Bedroom Apartments | $10,050 | $1,482 | $10,000+ |
Browse Top Apartments in Elgin
See all Apartments in ElginExplore Elgin
Elgin, IL Local Guide

- Elgin Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
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- School Districts
Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Elgin, IL
Pricing Updated: 06/07/2026Current apartment rentals in the Elgin, IL area range in price from to with an overall median price of . Here is today’s list neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Elgin Apartments for rent:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant School Park | $17,743 | $826 | 24 |
Cheapest Available Elgin Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in Elgin, IL is a Studio unit found at 39 Surrey Dr in the West Ridge Village neighborhood priced from $1,100. Squire Village Apartments in the Beacon Pointe neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 2 Beds apartment currently listed from $1,156. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Elgin apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39 Surrey Dr | 39 Surrey Drive | Studio,1BA | $1,100 |
| Squire Village Apartments | 2BR/1.5BA | 2BR,1BA | $1,156 |
| River's Landing Apartments | 1 Bedroom 1 Bath 675 sq ft | 1BR,1BA | $1,235 |
| Royal Ridge Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,250 |
| Blackhawk Apartment Homes | One Bedroom - 598 sqft | 1BR,1BA | $1,370 |
| Wing Park Residence | wp-1bs | 1BR,1BA | $1,550 |
| Authentix South Elgin | Studio Retreat Courtyard | Studio,1BA | $1,705 |
| Springs At South Elgin | 1 BR Grand Courtyard | 1BR,1BA | $1,824 |
| Panton Mill Station | The Beech | 1BR,1BA | $1,864 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Elgin, IL
As of June 07, 2026 the best value apartment in the Elgin area is the $0.88 price per square foot 4BR/1.5BA Model at Squire Village Apartments in the in the Beacon Pointe neighborhood starting from $1,482. The second greatest value Elgin apartment is the 2 Bed/ 2 Bath/ Den Model at Fountain Square starting at $2,600 with a $2.00 price per square foot in the College Green neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Elgin apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squire Village Apartments | 4BR/1.5BA | 4BR,1.5BA | $0.88 |
| Fountain Square | 2 Bed/ 2 Bath/ Den | 2BR,2.5BA | $2.00 |
| 1900 at Canterfield Apartment Homes | B4- Upper | 2BR,2BA | $1.96 |
| Panton Mill Station | The Beech | 1BR,1BA | $2.21 |
| Springs At South Elgin | 1 BR Grand Courtyard | 1BR,1BA | $2.24 |
| River's Landing Apartments | 2 Bedroom 1 Bath 775 sq ft | 2BR,1BA | $1.87 |
| 1320 Getzelman Dr, Unit 3 | 1320 Getzelman Dr | 2BR,1BA | $2.00 |
| Wing Park Residence | wp-1bs | 1BR,1BA | $2.14 |
| 39 Surrey Dr | 39 Surrey Drive | Studio ,1BA | $1.69 |
| Blackhawk Apartment Homes | One Bedroom - 598 sqft | 1BR,1BA | $2.29 |
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.
Elgin Overview
A charming city located to the northern end of Illinois, Elgin is an ideal destination well worthy of consideration. Less than forty miles from the epicenter of Chicago, Elgin is an ever-growing locale offering small town ideals melded flawlessly with big city opportunity.
Why live in Elgin, IL?
True to its motto 'The City in the Suburbs', Elgin rentals offer a winning mixture of convenience and that oh-so-important rural comfort. Ideal for families and working class singles alike, this growing Illinois city is big on education, blue collar ideals and heart. With an exciting downtown scene filled with restaurants, museums and plenty of shopping, Elgin might just be the city you've been searching for.
Elgin, ILPopulation: 111,683
Ranked #266
in US Census Population by City
Best Local Schools in Elgin, IL
Prairie View Grade School
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Elgin, IL Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Elgin, IL
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Elgin Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Elgin?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Elgin is under $1,864.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Elgin?
The cheapest apartment in Elgin is River's Landing Apartments which is listed at $1,235, while the average apartment in Elgin costs $17,743.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Elgin?
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 regular apartments in Elgin 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 Elgin?
Cheap apartments in Elgin have an average cost of $205 which is $17,538 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Elgin.
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

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.

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.

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.

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

Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.

Creative Ways Developers Reimagine Retail Spaces as Residential Units
Written by: Robin Stewart
Adaptive reuse is when a commercial property is converted and repurposed. The real estate industry has embraced a growing number of these projects.

Neighborhood and Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent
Written by: Robin Stewart
Apartment-hunting can be a gargantuan task. Renters have a wish list of items—some luxuries, some necessities—but finding what you seek in the right place is perhaps the most important part of the journey.

A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back
Written by: Lauren Harrington
I’m going to talk with you as a seasoned property manager and friend. So, let’s start with your security deposit. I want you to think about this guide as insider information. You deserve your deposit back.