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

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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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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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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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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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Mark Twain Homes
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Mark Twain Homes

3525 Lyon AveOakland, CA 94601
Senior Living

Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

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Oakland, CA Local Guide

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Staff Writer
Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Oakland, CA

Pricing Updated: 12/30/2025

Current apartment rentals in the Oakland, CA area range in price from $272 to $29,086 with an overall median price of $4,615. The three Oakland neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Fruitvale at $1,250, Castro Valley NE Outer Hayward at $272, and Santa Fe at $1,250. 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$3,200$1,25020
Castro Valley NE Outer Hayward$3,227$272185
Santa Fe$3,825$1,25016
Uptown Oakland$3,885$765225
Westlake$4,356$1,300127
Lakeside$4,359$800193
Jack London Square$4,540$1,398134
Chinatown$4,555$1,645119
East Oakland$4,600$900492
Old Oakland$4,684$1,39827

Cheapest Available Oakland Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Oakland, CA is a Studio unit found at Claridge Apartments in the West Oakland neighborhood priced from $765. The Lair in the Downtown Berkeley neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 3 Beds apartment currently listed from $775. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Oakland apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Claridge ApartmentsStudio / 1 BathroomStudio,1BA$765
The Lair3BR/2.0BA3BR,2BA$775
2375 Fruitvale AveSRO1BR,$900
Brookfield Place2 Bed 1 Bath2BR,1BA$914
HeliosShared Double1BR,1BA$950
2715 Dwight6 Bedroom | 4 Bath6BR,4BA$963
Miley Gardens at Eastmont- 55+ Senior Affordable CommunityStudio 1 Bathroom B1BR,1BA$1,024
2430 Prospect2 Bedroom | 1 Bath B2BR,1BA$1,025
Casa ZimbabweRidge House Triples1BR,1BA$1,030
Spectra Southside (Student)Single1BR,1BA$1,099

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Oakland, CA

As of December 31, 2025 the best value apartment in the Oakland area is the $1.52 price per square foot 1910 Union St Model at 1910 Union St, Unit Unit A 4bd 2bath 1 office in the in the Bronze Coast neighborhood starting from $5,000. The second greatest value Oakland apartment is the D1 Model at Mariposa starting at $3,639 with a $1.52 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.
1910 Union St, Unit Unit A 4bd 2bath 1 office1910 Union St4BR,2BA$1.52
MariposaD13BR,2BA$1.52
1001 46th St, Unit Cavernous 2bdrm1001 46th St2BR,2BA$2.05
Vulcan LoftsLive/Work loftsStudio ,1BA$1.23
169 Santa Rosa3 Bedroom 2 Bath Apartment3BR,2BA$2.00
5th Street LoftsLoft CStudio ,1BA$2.03
BoscoUnit 2015BR,2BA$1.77
2414 Telegraph3 Bedroom | 1 Bath3BR,1BA$1.64
Brookfield Place2 Bed 1 Bath2BR,1BA$1.17
SHARED & PRIVATE Dorm Style Units Available at The Telegraph Commons! 2 blocks from UCB!1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.43

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.

Oakland, CA
Population: 429,082

Ranked #45

in US Census Population by City

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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 $1,099.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Oakland?

The cheapest apartment in Oakland is 2375 Fruitvale Ave which is listed at $900, while the average apartment in Oakland costs $4,615.

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 300 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 $467 which is $4,148 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.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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How to Make Your Apartment Holiday-Ready: Renter-Friendly Tips

Written by: Justin Habersaat

Getting your apartment ready for the holidays can be exciting but sometimes challenging in a smaller space. Here are some modern tips to keep things festive, safe, and inviting this season.

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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.

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Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Back in the day when I rented one of my first apartments, the property didn’t even have laundry in the building. Now, rental properties are often competing against each other to provide the best amenities.

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How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everything is a negotiation in real estate!