Cheap Apartments for Rent in Oakland, CA from $500 (180 Rentals)

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

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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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

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

Maximize your work-life balance in San Francisco. Discover the ideal neighborhoods for renting, from SoMa to Nob Hill, for employees of the city's 5 leading companies.

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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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Brookfield Place
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Brookfield Place

555 98th AveOakland, CA 94603

The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

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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Oakland, CA Local Guide

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Written By:
Staff Writer
Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Oakland, CA

Pricing Updated: 02/14/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Oakland, CA area range in price from $900 to $23,548 with an overall median price of $6,204. The three Oakland neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Fruitvale at $1,445, Lakeside at $1,305, and Uptown Oakland at $915. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Oakland Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Fruitvale$3,109$1,44518
Lakeside$3,270$1,305143
Uptown Oakland$3,703$915191
East Oakland$3,950$900389
Westlake$4,237$1,30086
Jingletown$4,275$900201
Chinatown$4,491$1,64568
Jack London Square$4,491$1,52571
Old Oakland$4,684$2,01712
Santa Fe$5,500$1,15013

Cheapest Available Oakland Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Oakland, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Brookfield Place in the Laqua Manor neighborhood priced from $779. Sterling Haste in the Downtown Berkeley neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 2 Beds apartment currently listed from $789. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Oakland apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Brookfield Place1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$779
Sterling HasteSterling Haste B22BR,1BA$789
Claridge ApartmentsStudio / 1 BathroomStudio,1BA$915
HeliosShared Double1BR,1BA$950
2715 Dwight6 Bedroom | 4 Bath6BR,4BA$963
Spectra Southside (Student)Single Deluxe - S1BR,1BA$999
2430 Prospect2 Bedroom | 1 Bath B2BR,1BA$1,025
Casa ZimbabweRidge House Triples1BR,1BA$1,030
873 32nd StreetFloor Plan B 1BR 0BA1BR,$1,063
The Lair3BR/2.0BA3BR,2BA$1,069

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Oakland, CA

As of February 14, 2026 the best value apartment in the Oakland area is the $1.23 price per square foot Live/Work lofts Model at Vulcan Lofts in the in the St. Elizabeth neighborhood starting from $2,050. The second greatest value Oakland apartment is the 2606 Harrison St Model at 2606 Harrison St starting at $2,995 with a $1.81 price per square foot in the Harrison Street 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.
Vulcan LoftsLive/Work loftsStudio ,1BA$1.23
2606 Harrison St2606 Harrison St2BR,1BA$1.81
2909 Myrtle St, Unit 2907.52909 Myrtle St2BR,1BA$2.00
5th Street LoftsLoft CStudio ,1BA$2.03
2606 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Unit 26062606 Martin Luther King Jr Way3BR,1.5BA$2.00
Oakland Heights - 55+ Active Adult ApartmentsOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.55
2414 Telegraph3 Bedroom | 1 Bath3BR,1BA$1.64
Sunny View Terrace2BR/1BA2BR,1BA$2.00
Brookfield Place1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$1.23
SHARED & PRIVATE Dorm Style Units Available at The Telegraph Commons! 2 blocks from UCB!1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.65

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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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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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.

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Oakland, CA

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Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
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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 $1,069.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Oakland?

The cheapest apartment in Oakland is Brookfield Place which is listed at $779, while the average apartment in Oakland costs $6,204.

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 215 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 $612 which is $5,592 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

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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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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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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

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

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A Renters Guide for Tips on Writing Your Notice for Not Renewing Your Apartment

Written by: Bob Mallory

Packing up everything you own to move is so stressful for many that ending your apartment lease can feel like a small or unimportant task. Ending your lease involves more than simply turning over your keys on the last day.

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Renting with Roommates: Realistic Expectations for Shared Lease

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Given the high costs for housing, I have found that many people are looking for a roommate to share expenses. These arrangements can increase opportunities for more desirable and larger spaces.