Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Center City Neighborhood of Grand Rapids, MI from $400 (85 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Center City area of Grand Rapids.

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.

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

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property at 329 Lyon St NE

$1,274 - $1,424

1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available May 15

329 Lyon St NE

Grand RapidsMI49503

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property at 55 Straight Ave SW

$1,300

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,300
Total Monthly Price
$1,300

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Apr 15

55 Straight Ave SW, Unit 55, Unit 55

55 Straight Ave SW
Grand RapidsMI49504

Check Out Grand Rapids’s Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about Grand Rapids and the best places to live with original content written by our Local Expert Mike Heuer

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The Waters Center
$1,500 - $2,500
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,500 - $2,500
Total Monthly Price
$1,500 - $2,500
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

The Waters Center

161 Ottawa Ave NWGrand Rapids, MI 49503
Family Friendly
  • Verified
  • Utilities Included
  • 3D Tour

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Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

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Center City, Grand Rapids, MI Local Guide

Cheapest Available Center City Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Center City area of Grand Rapids, MI is a Studio unit found at 234 Market Apartments priced from $1,060. Grand Central Lofts has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $1,150. Here are the most affordable Center City apartments for rent in Grand Rapids, MI:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
234 Market ApartmentsMicro Apartment Style HStudio,1BA$1,060
Grand Central LoftsOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$1,150
549 Logan St SEOne Bed1BR,1BA$1,200
The HendrikStudioStudio,1BA$1,200
The Globe Apartments2x1a2BR,1BA$1,250
Gateway at BelknapStudioStudio,1BA$1,259
Midtown CityZen1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$1,275
Heritage Place ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,294
The MortonStudioStudio,1BA$1,296

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Center City, MI

As of April 12, 2026 the best value apartment in the Center City area is the $1.86 price per square foot 700 Broadway Ave NW Model at 700 Broadway Ave NW, Unit 1A in the in the Center City neighborhood starting from $2,695. The second greatest value Center City apartment is the 851 Watson St SW Model at 851 Watson St SW, Unit 1 starting at $2,725 with a $1.95 price per square foot in the Center City neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Center City apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
700 Broadway Ave NW, Unit 1A700 Broadway Ave NW3BR,2BA$1.86
851 Watson St SW, Unit 1851 Watson St SW4BR,2BA$1.95
44 Portsmouth Pl NE, Unit 2 Bedroom 1 Bath44 Portsmouth Pl NE2BR,1BA$1.21
Seven45 StockingOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.46
618 Veto St NW618 Veto St NW4BR,1BA$1.78
Hopson Flats2 Bedroom, 1 Bath (Rate Per Bed)2BR,1BA$0.94
THE 616Two Bedroom2BR,1BA$1.95
The Lofts @ 5 Lyon - Price Per Bedroom2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom - Price Per Bed2BR,1BA$1.73
28 Jefferson Ave SE, Unit B28 Jefferson Ave SE1BR,1BA$1.54
Off Broadway Apartments - Price Per Bedroom4 Bed 2 Bath - Price Per Bed4BR,2BA$1.28

Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near Major Colleges and Universities in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Find your perfect student apartment near Aquinas College, Calvin University, Cornerstone University, and Grand Rapids Community College. Discover top neighborhoods for off-campus housing in Grand Rapids, MI.

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10 Hidden Costs of Renting You Should Budget for Before Signing a Lease

Avoid financial stress when renting. Learn about the 10 most common hidden costs—from pet fees to utilities—you must budget for before you sign a lease.

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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.

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The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.

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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.

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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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Best Local Schools in
Center City, Grand Rapids, MI

School data provided by Great Schools

Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you our detailed rental search system called 'Lifestyle ratings', composed of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, including Grand Rapids. Lifestyle Ratings show you the best fit for your needs and interests. This takes in many factors including our Star Ratings to compare for convenient access to the outdoors, luxury amenities, transit availability, pet-friendly communities, family-friendliness, and more. Find Lifestyle Search in the filter options (above). Happy Searching!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Center City Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Center City?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Center City is under $1,296.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Center City?

The cheapest apartment in Center City is Grand Central Lofts which is listed at $1,150, while the average apartment in Center City costs $1,977.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Center City?

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 25 regular apartments in Center City 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 Center City?

Cheap apartments in Center City have an average cost of $313 which is $1,664 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Center City.

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.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

decorative image for The Local Experts Guide to the Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, MI article

The Local Experts Guide to the Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, MI

Written by: Mike Heuer

I grew up near Grand Rapids and have visited the growing city and its surrounding area many times. It is a true jewel of southwestern Michigan and very close to Lake Michigan and many other great locales.

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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.

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18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting your next home can feel thrilling and overwhelming at the same time.