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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property at 1929 9th Ave

$1,695

1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

1929 9th Ave

OaklandCA94606
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Mark Twain Homes
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Mark Twain Homes

3525 Lyon AveOakland, CA 94601
Senior Living

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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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
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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

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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Artthaus SIX
Studio Apartments

Artthaus SIX

825 6th AveOakland, CA 94606
Corporate Housing
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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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ArtHaus Northgate
Studio Apartments

ArtHaus Northgate

2618 Martin Luther King Jr WayOakland, CA 94612
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Oakland 34 Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Oakland 34 Apartments

10920 Macarthur BlvdOakland, CA 94605
Senior Living
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Piedmont
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Piedmont

215 W MacArthur BlvdOakland, CA 94611
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Linden Haus
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Linden Haus

2000 Linden StOakland, CA 94607

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

Unlock the personality of Renting and Living in the City by the Bay. Learn where to eat the best tacos, find hidden views, and embrace the charming contradictions of San Francisco life.

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Oakland, CA Local Guide

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Written By:
Staff Writer
Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Oakland, CA

Pricing Updated: 05/25/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Oakland, CA area range in price from $748 to $259,501 with an overall median price of $6,118. The three Oakland neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Old Oakland at $1,950, Fruitvale at $1,395, and Longfellow at $1,398. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Oakland Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Old Oakland$3,185$1,9502
Fruitvale$3,300$1,39510
Longfellow$3,600$1,39831
Santa Fe$3,625$1,15011
Jack London Square$3,801$1,24540
Chinatown$3,940$1,24539
Westlake$4,439$1,79548
East Oakland$4,506$895249
Jingletown$4,600$895115
Lakeside$6,906$1,245109

Cheapest Available Oakland Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Oakland, CA is a 4 Beds unit found at FOUND Study Southside Berkeley in the Downtown Berkeley neighborhood priced from $845. Claridge Hotel LP. in the West Oakland neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $895. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Oakland apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
FOUND Study Southside Berkeley4x2 - Double - Berkeley 26-274BR,2BA$845
Claridge Hotel LP.SROStudio,$895
HeliosBed rental - Shared Double Occupancy Room1BR,1BA$950
Northgate TerraceStudioStudio,1BA$1,050
Secure Your Dream Home at RUMI – Fully Furnished Units with Stunning Views!2BR/2.0BA2BR,2BA$1,062
The Lair2BR/2.0BA2BR,2BA$1,081
Wesley House0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,095
2737 Durant Avenue0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,125
2731 Durant Ave1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1,195
ArtHaus NorthgateFloor Plan A Studio 1BAStudio,1BA$1,228

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Oakland, CA

As of May 26, 2026 the best value apartment in the Oakland area is the $0.69 price per square foot 5 Bedroom | 3 Bath Model at 2710 College in the in the Downtown Berkeley neighborhood starting from $1,491. The second greatest value Oakland apartment is the Loft 4 Model at 1080 Lofts starting at $2,455 with a $1.36 price per square foot in the Fruitvale Station 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.
2710 College5 Bedroom | 3 Bath5BR,3BA$0.69
1080 LoftsLoft 4Studio ,1BA$1.36
Vulcan LoftsLive/Work loftsStudio ,1BA$1.23
Oakland Heights - 55+ Active Adult ApartmentsTwo Bedroom2BR,1BA$1.44
The Den1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.80
2934 Ford St, Unit Ford Street Studios 12934 Ford St1BR,1BA$1.16
2737 Durant Avenue1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.68
Secure Your Dream Home at RUMI – Fully Furnished Units with Stunning Views!2BR/2.0BA2BR,2BA$1.12
The Lair2BR/2.0BA2BR,2BA$1.16
1600 Edith St, Unit A1600 Edith St3BR,1BA$1.74

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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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 $1,228.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Oakland?

The cheapest apartment in Oakland is Helios which is listed at $950, while the average apartment in Oakland costs $6,118.

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 172 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 $1,080 which is $5,038 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

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

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.

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

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.

decorative image for Bay Living Like a Local: The Insiders Guide to Life and Renting in San Francisco, CA article

Bay Living Like a Local: The Insiders 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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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.

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Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article is based on first-hand experience managing apartment communities and helping renters adapt to their spaces after moving in.

decorative image for What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much article

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.