
Cheap Apartments for Rent in Novato, CA from $800 (19 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Novato.


Villas at Hamilton

1221 Vallejo Apartments

155 San Andreas Dr

OTAVON APARTMENTS

Marion Park
Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
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481 Ignacio Blvd

Creekside at Meadow Park

Meadows Apartments

1504 Vallejo Ave

Hamilton Woods

Hill Valley Apartments
Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

325 Rowland Blvd

Romar Court Apartments

Hillcrest Townhomes Apartment Complex

Rotary Valley Senior Village

10 Mount Diablo Cir

230 Villa Ave
How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide
Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

1208 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Novato, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Novato?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap Novato Studio Apartments | $1,848 | $1,848 | $1,848 |
| Cheap Novato 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,702 | $2,089 | $3,500 |
| Cheap Novato 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,036 | $2,395 | $3,430 |
| Cheap Novato 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,092 | $3,550 | $6,950 |
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Novato, CA Local Guide

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Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Novato, CA
Pricing Updated: 07/29/2026Current apartment rentals in the Novato, CA area range in price from $1,848 to $6,950 with an overall median price of $4,143. The three Novato neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Loma Verde at $1,848, Ignacio at $1,848, and Central Novato at $2,089. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Novato Apartments for rent:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loma Verde | $3,095 | $1,848 | 9 |
| Ignacio | $3,139 | $1,848 | 11 |
| Central Novato | $3,550 | $2,089 | 5 |
| Downtown Novato | $3,550 | $2,089 | 4 |
| Midwest Novato | $3,550 | $2,089 | 5 |
| Northwest Novato | $3,550 | $2,089 | 2 |
| Pleasant Valley | $3,550 | $2,089 | 5 |
| San Ramon | $3,550 | $2,089 | 5 |
| Southeast Novato | $6,950 | $1,848 | 9 |
| Southwest Novato | $6,950 | $2,695 | 6 |
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. OTAVON APARTMENTS in the Novato neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,295. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Novato apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villas at Hamilton | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,848 |
| OTAVON APARTMENTS | 1x1 | 1BR,1BA | $2,295 |
| Walnut Grove Apartments | 2 Beds, 1.5 baths | 2BR,1BA | $2,650 |
| Marion Park | Liberte - 1 st floor with a patio | 2BR,2BA | $2,800 |
| Posada East | 2x1.5 Upper Townhouse | 2BR,1BA | $2,850 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Novato, CA
As of July 29, 2026 the best value apartment in the Novato area is the $2.66 price per square foot 3 Beds, 2 baths Model at Redwood Landing in the in the Southeast Novato neighborhood starting from $3,400. The second greatest value Novato apartment is the 2x1.5 Upper Townhouse Model at Posada East starting at $2,850 with a $2.38 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 Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redwood Landing | 3 Beds, 2 baths | 3BR,2BA | $2.66 |
| Posada East | 2x1.5 Upper Townhouse | 2BR,1.5BA | $2.38 |
| Walnut Grove Apartments | 2 Beds, 1.5 baths | 2BR,1.5BA | $2.76 |
| Wyndover Apartment Homes | B1 | 2BR,1BA | $3.33 |
| Marion Park | Liberte - 1 st floor with a patio | 2BR,2BA | $3.09 |
| Bridgecreek | Fieldstone | 2BR,2BA | $3.65 |
| Millworks | 1 Bedroom 1 Bath Plan D | 1BR,1BA | $4.06 |
| Deer Valley | Plan 1A | 1BR,1BA | $4.15 |
| OTAVON APARTMENTS | 1x1 | 1BR,1BA | $3.96 |
| Villas at Hamilton | Studio | Studio ,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.
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.
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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.
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
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Novato, CA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Novato, CA
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Novato Apartments
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Novato?
The cheapest apartment in Novato is Villas at Hamilton which is listed at $2,089, while the average apartment in Novato costs $4,143.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Novato?
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 15 regular apartments in Novato 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 Novato?
Cheap apartments in Novato have an average cost of $783 which is $3,360 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Novato.
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

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Written by: Robin Stewart
The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
Written by: Robin Stewart
Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention
Written by: Robin Stewart
There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

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.