Cheap Apartments for Rent in Novato, CA from $1,800 (34 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Novato.

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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Meadows Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Meadows Apartments

514 Lark CtNovato, CA 94947
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Hamilton Woods
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Hamilton Woods

1009 Green Oak DrNovato, CA 94949

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.

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OTAVON APARTMENTS
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

OTAVON APARTMENTS

1515 S Novato BlvdNovato, CA 94947
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325 Rowland Blvd
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

325 Rowland Blvd

325 Rowland BlvdNovato, CA 94947
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Posada East
2 Bedroom Apartments

Posada East

200 Posada del SolNovato, CA 94949
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Redwood Landing
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Redwood Landing

100 Cutlass DrNovato, CA 94947

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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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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Deer Valley
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Deer Valley

2500 Deer Valley RdSan Rafael, CA 94903
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McInnis Park
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

McInnis Park

10-90 North AveSan Rafael, CA 94903
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Novato, CA Local Guide

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Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Novato, CA

Pricing Updated: 06/14/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Novato, CA area range in price from $2,800 to $7,500 with an overall median price of $5,846. The three Novato neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Northwest Novato at $3,635, Central Novato at $3,100, and Midwest Novato at $3,100. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Novato Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Northwest Novato$4,550$3,6353
Central Novato$4,995$3,1007
Midwest Novato$4,995$3,1003
Downtown Novato$5,375$3,7005
Pleasant Valley$5,375$2,8007
San Ramon$5,375$3,7004
Ignacio$6,950$5,2001
Loma Verde$6,950$5,2001
Southeast Novato$6,950$3,1004
Southwest Novato$6,950$3,1004

Cheapest Available Novato Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Novato, CA is a Studio unit found at Villas at Hamilton in the Southeast Novato neighborhood priced from $1,848. Walnut Grove Apartments in the Downtown Novato neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,200. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Novato apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Villas at HamiltonStudioStudio,1BA$1,848
Walnut Grove Apartments1 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$2,200
OTAVON APARTMENTS1x11BR,1BA$2,295
Wyndover Apartment HomesA11BR,1BA$2,627
Marion ParkLiberte - 1 st floor with a patio2BR,2BA$2,800
La Casa Novato2BR2BA2BR,2BA$2,850
Novato Village Senior ApartmentsA2Studio,1BA$2,945
McInnis ParkBirch1BR,1BA$2,950

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Novato, CA

As of June 14, 2026 the best value apartment in the Novato area is the $3.35 price per square foot Plan 3A Model at Deer Valley in the in the Santa Venetia neighborhood starting from $3,879. The second greatest value Novato apartment is the 2BR2BA Model at La Casa Novato starting at $2,850 with a $2.78 price per square foot in the Southeast Novato neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Novato apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Deer ValleyPlan 3A3BR,2BA$3.35
La Casa Novato2BR2BA2BR,2BA$2.78
Highlands of MarinLarkspur (B2A)2BR,2BA$3.46
Marion ParkLiberte - 1 st floor with a patio2BR,2BA$3.09
BridgecreekFieldstone2BR,2BA$3.54
Wyndover Apartment HomesA11BR,1BA$3.36
Walnut Grove Apartments1 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$3.33
680 Rosal Way, Unit A'680 Rosal Way1BR,1BA$3.58
OTAVON APARTMENTS1x11BR,1BA$3.96
Villas at HamiltonStudioStudio ,1BA$3.94

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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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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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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Novato Overview

Novato, California, is located in the northwest area of California, just 30 minutes north of San Francisco. It's close to the Pacific Ocean as well as several National Forests. Apartments in Novato range from $1,475 for a studio, to $4,700 for a four-bedroom home. What's so great about living in Novato? We've got the scoop.

Why live in Novato, CA?

Novato has the perfect mix of past and present, city and nature. Historic landmarks include the Marin Museum of the American Indian and Olompali State Park which features the first Spanish colonial house built in Marin County. The Vintage Oaks Shopping Center includes major retailers such as Costco and Target, as well as over 50 other retail stores and restaurants. Major employers in the area include Novato Unified School District, BioMarin Pharmaceutical, and the Buck Institute for Aging. For those who like to get out of their Novato apartments, there are over 3,600 acres of open space to explore including hiking and mountain biking trails, golf courses, a skate park, state parks, fishing, camping, and bird-watching areas.

Best Local Schools in
Novato, CA

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Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Novato, CA Rentals by Map

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See the most popular apartments and homes in Novato, CA

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Novato Apartments

How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom Novato Apartment?

The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom Novato Apartment is $2,089 at Villas at Hamilton.

What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom Novato Apartment for rent?

Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in Novato is starting from $2,395 at Villas at Hamilton.

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

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How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Written by: Robin Stewart

Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.

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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.

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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.

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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.