Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Center City Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA from $600 (300 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Center City area of Philadelphia.

property at 1218 Walnut St

1218 Walnut St

PhiladelphiaPA19107

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 1229 Chestnut St

1229 Chestnut St

PhiladelphiaPA19107
property at 201 S 13th St

201 S 13th St

PhiladelphiaPA19107
property at 1321 Spruce St

1321 Spruce St

PhiladelphiaPA19107

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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property at 118 S 12th St

118 S 12th St

PhiladelphiaPA19107
property at 145 S 13th St

145 S 13th St

PhiladelphiaPA19107
property at 2100 Walnut St

2100 Walnut St

PhiladelphiaPA19103

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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Philadelphia's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about Philadelphia and the best places to live with original content written by our Local Expert Richard Corrigan

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property at 507 S 8th St

507 S 8th St

PhiladelphiaPA19147

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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Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 6

Center City, Philadelphia, PA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Center City Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Center City area of Philadelphia, PA is a 1 Bed unit found at Universal Court 1 priced from $812. 1606-1608 Locust St has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $950. Here are the most affordable Center City apartments for rent in Philadelphia, PA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Universal Court 11 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$812
1606-1608 Locust StStudio - 2nd FloorStudio,1BA$950
1501 Locust St Residential0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,000
Juniper PlaceStudioStudio,1BA$1,025
The ClaremontStudioStudio,1BA$1,075
Papermill Lofts236 #2BStudio,1BA$1,100
Ronan FlatsD1Studio,1BA$1,204
Annex 1201StudioStudio,1BA$1,245
The Barrymore248 2A1BR,1BA$1,250

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Center City, PA

As of November 14, 2025 the best value apartment in the Center City area is the $1.86 price per square foot 2F - 3Bed Model at 1809 Spruce St in the in the Belmont neighborhood starting from $3,360. The second greatest value Center City apartment is the 2013 Walnut St Model at 2013 Walnut St, Unit #4 starting at $2,150 with a $1.19 price per square foot in the Belmont neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Center City apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
1809 Spruce St2F - 3Bed3BR,2BA$1.86
2013 Walnut St, Unit #42013 Walnut St2BR,1.5BA$1.19
WLIVING at 117 Spring Garden2 BR/2 BA2BR,2BA$1.43
Mariners Court Apartments362BR,1BA$1.80
112 S 20th St, Unit 5112 S 20th St1BR,1BA$1.55
The School HouseB - Rear West Facing1BR,1BA$1.91
820 South St, Unit APT2R820 South St1BR,1BA$1.67
2131 Walnut St1031BR,1BA$1.83
339 Bainbridge StOne Bed1BR,1BA$1.94
Universal Court 11 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$1.29

Unlock Your Philly Commute: Your Guide to Renting Near the City's Biggest Employers

Live like a local! Explore diverse Philly neighborhoods—from trendy Fishtown to historic Cedar Park—with an easy commute to your job. Your expert guide is here.

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Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know

From the lounge to the laundry room, understand your rights and responsibilities in shared apartment spaces. Get tips on pet rules, noise, and security.

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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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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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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Center City, Philadelphia, PA

Ranked #7

Among cities in Pennsylvania for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving.com is happy to bring you comprehensive Lifestyle Ratings of rentals in areas across the United States including Center City, Philadelphia, and the greater Philadelphia area. LifeStyle Ratings are a useful tool for comparing and sorting apartments and neighborhoods when choosing your rental home. This takes in many factors including filtering automatically for the best outdoor access, luxury housing options, kid and pet-friendly communities, availability of transit options, in addition to floorplans, availablity, and pricing. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Center City Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Center City?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Center City is under $1,250.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Center City?

The cheapest apartment in Center City is Universal Court 1 which is listed at $812, while the average apartment in Center City costs $3,294.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Center City?

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 294 regular apartments in Center City 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 Center City?

Cheap apartments in Center City have an average cost of $789 which is $2,505 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Center City.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

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.

decorative image for A Local Expert's Guide to the Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Philadelphia article

A Local Expert's Guide to the Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Philadelphia

Written by: Richard Corrigan

There’s always been more to Philadelphia than meets the eye. When I first came here, I saw it as a tough, gritty town.

decorative image for Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know article

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! 

decorative image for The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters article

The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters

Written by: Trey Huguley

The move-in inspection checklist is a crucial tool for both tenants and landlords. This checklist, provided by the team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com, helps document the condition of an apartment at the time of move-in.