Cheap Apartments for Rent in Oakland, CA from $500 (172 Rentals)

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

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

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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Mark Twain Homes
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Mark Twain Homes

3525 Lyon AveOakland, CA 94601
Senior Living
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The Grove
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

The Grove

2600-2685 Ec Reems CtOakland, CA 94605
  • Utilities Included
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MacArthur
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

MacArthur

9800 MacArthur BlvdOakland, CA 94605

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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Brookfield Place
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Brookfield Place

555 98th AveOakland, CA 94603
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668 28th St
1 to 7 Bedroom Apartments

668 28th St

668 28th StOakland, CA 94609
Student Housing
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ArtHaus Northgate
Studio Apartments

ArtHaus Northgate

2618 Martin Luther King Jr WayOakland, CA 94612
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715 Peralta St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

715 Peralta St

715 Peralta StOakland, CA 94607
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Hillcastle Apartments
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Hillcastle Apartments

1431 Jackson StOakland, CA 94612
  • Utilities Included
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Oakland 34 Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Oakland 34 Apartments

10920 Macarthur BlvdOakland, CA 94605
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included

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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ArtHaus Linden
Studio Apartments

ArtHaus Linden

1054 18th StOakland, CA 94607
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Nook on Valdez
Studio Apartments

Nook on Valdez

2425 Valdez StOakland, CA 94612
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Ivy Haus
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Ivy Haus

1844 7th AveOakland, CA 94606
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Village Haus
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Village Haus

2554 E 16th StOakland, CA 94601
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Cruz Haus
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Cruz Haus

1701-1707 36th AveOakland, CA 94601
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ArtHaus Six
Studio Apartments

ArtHaus Six

825 6th AveOakland, CA 94606
Corporate Housing
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2601-2605 High St
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

2601-2605 High St

2601-2605 High StOakland, CA 94619

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.

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Oakland, CA Local Guide

Photo of Staff Writer - Local Guide Expert
Written By:
Staff Writer
Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Oakland, CA

Pricing Updated: 07/12/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Oakland, CA area range in price from $800 to $26,189 with an overall median price of $5,593. The three Oakland neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Santa Fe at $1,205, Fruitvale at $1,395, and Old Oakland at $2,134. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Oakland Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Santa Fe$2,395$1,2058
Fruitvale$2,465$1,3954
Old Oakland$2,875$2,1342
Longfellow$3,565$1,51190
Chinatown$3,816$1,24524
Jack London Square$3,816$1,24525
Jingletown$4,125$950101
East Oakland$4,269$950191
Uptown Oakland$4,423$895115
Lakeside$4,738$1,24581

Cheapest Available Oakland Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Oakland, CA is a 3 Beds unit found at Collab@Oxford in the Downtown Berkeley neighborhood priced from $612. 1770 La Loma in the Downtown Berkeley neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $850. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Oakland apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Collab@Oxford3X23BR,2BA$612
1770 La LomaThird Floor1BR,1BA$850
Claridge Hotel LP.SROStudio,$895
2425 ProspectThird Floor A1BR,1BA$900
HeliosHelios - Bed rental - Shared Double 2026 - 2027...1BR,1BA$950
The Lair3BR/2.0BA3BR,2BA$992
Wesley House0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,003
RUMI at King3BR/2.0BA3BR,2BA$1,012
2737 Durant Avenue0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,031

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Oakland, CA

As of July 12, 2026 the best value apartment in the Oakland area is the $1.81 price per square foot Loft 4 Model at 1080 Lofts in the in the Fruitvale Station neighborhood starting from $3,255. The second greatest value Oakland apartment is the Live/Work lofts Model at Vulcan Lofts starting at $2,050 with a $1.23 price per square foot in the St. Elizabeth neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Oakland apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
1080 LoftsLoft 4Studio ,1BA$1.81
Vulcan LoftsLive/Work loftsStudio ,1BA$1.23
1050-1066 47th Ave1-Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.82
The Den1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.80
2934 Ford St, Unit Ford Street Studios 12934 Ford St1BR,1BA$1.16
1000 E 33rd St2 Beds, 1 Baths2BR,1BA$1.85
ArtHaus DwightD14BR,2BA$1.88
Collab@Oxford3X23BR,2BA$0.80
ArtHaus TelegraphCal Suite4BR,2BA$1.73
Telegraph Commons1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.82

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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Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco

A Local Experts guide to the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods Near Colleges in the Bay area for affordable living. Find your perfect San Francisco Student apartment, condo, or rental home today at ApartmentHomeliving.com

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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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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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Oakland Overview

There’s a lot that could be said to convince you that renting apartments in Oakland would be one of the best decisions of your life. Maybe you’d be interested in the fact that Oakland is a smart city, it’s one of the top cities when counting residents with bachelor’s degrees. Maybe you’d be intrigued by the fact that Oakland is known for its ethnic diversity, as well as its sustainability practices. Many more facts could be spewed at you, and they’d all add up to one thing—Oakland is an awesome, hip place to live.

Why live in Oakland, CA?

Oakland is a city like no other. It lies incredibly close to another major city, San Francisco, and yet it retains its own unique identity. Oakland is a city of diversity and political activism, industry and artistry, culture, and sports teams to rally behind. It’s also known for its food, its culinary culture is likely influenced by the city’s diversity as the cuisine often features international foods, as well as locally grown produce. Oakland truly has its own place in this world, and living in apartments in Oakland would allow you to become a member of this exciting and thriving city.

Best Local Schools in
Oakland, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

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

Explore Oakland, CA Rentals by Map

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See the most popular apartments and homes in Oakland, CA

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Oakland Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Oakland?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Oakland is under $1,031.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Oakland?

The cheapest apartment in Oakland is 1770 La Loma which is listed at $850, while the average apartment in Oakland costs $5,593.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Oakland?

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 169 regular apartments in Oakland 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 Oakland?

Cheap apartments in Oakland have an average cost of $981 which is $4,612 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Oakland.

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

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A San Francisco Local Expert’s Guide to the Top Budget-Friendly Bay Area Neighborhoods to Rent

Written by: Shannon Hilson

If you’re anything like me, the thought of San Francisco is synonymous with concepts like creativity, character, and quirky local style.

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Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco

Written by: Shannon Hilson

Naturally, going away to college or university is super exciting in and of itself. It’s the prelude to the rest of your life, not to mention an unforgettable experience all its own.

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Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers

Written by: Shannon Hilson

Deciding to move to San Francisco for work is a huge deal. San Fran is exciting and just weird enough to let you know you’re in for an amazing adventure, right from day one.

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Bay Living Like a Local: The Insider's Guide to Life and Renting in San Francisco, CA

Written by: Shannon Hilson

San Francisco is so much more than just postcard-perfect views of cable cars and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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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.

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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.

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

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.