Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Center City Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA from $600 (277 Rentals)

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

property at 1324 Locust St

1324 Locust St

PhiladelphiaPA19107

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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property at 1321 Spruce St

1321 Spruce 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 201 S 13th St

201 S 13th St

PhiladelphiaPA19107
property at 24-30-30 Bank St

24-30-30 Bank St

PhiladelphiaPA19106

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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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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property at 2311 Spruce St

2311 Spruce St

PhiladelphiaPA19103
property at 1300 Spruce St

1300 Spruce St

PhiladelphiaPA19107
property at 514 South St

514 South St

PhiladelphiaPA19147
property at 2445 Innovator Wy

2445 Innovator Wy

PhiladelphiaPA19146

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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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. 1501 Locust St Residential has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,000. 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
1501 Locust St Residential0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,000
Juniper PlaceStudioStudio,1BA$1,025
226 South 21st StStudioStudio,1BA$1,041
The ClaremontStudioStudio,1BA$1,075
Papermill Lofts236 #2AStudio,1BA$1,100
Spruce Tower-01Studio,1BA$1,151
Fitler Commonslower one bed1BR,1BA$1,175
2220 Spruce StOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$1,200
Ronan FlatsD1Studio,1BA$1,204

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Center City, PA

As of September 27, 2025 the best value apartment in the Center City area is the $1.69 price per square foot 1928 Rodman St Model at 1928 Rodman St, Unit 1928 Rodman St A in the in the Belmont neighborhood starting from $3,300. The second greatest value Center City apartment is the 2013 Walnut St Model at 2013 Walnut St, Unit #4 starting at $2,200 with a $1.22 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.
1928 Rodman St, Unit 1928 Rodman St A1928 Rodman St3BR,2.5BA$1.69
2013 Walnut St, Unit #42013 Walnut St2BR,1.5BA$1.22
778 S Harshaw St, Unit 2778 S Harshaw St2BR,1.5BA$1.22
529 S 17th St, Unit B529 S 17th St2BR,1BA$1.43
The Mercantile Apartments1F-1G-1H2BR,2BA$1.73
2333 Catharine St, Unit 42333 Catharine St2BR,1BA$1.80
112 S 20th St, Unit 5112 S 20th St1BR,1BA$1.55
1629 South St, Unit 1629 South St. 1 Bed 1 Ba1629 South St1BR,1BA$1.30
514 South Street1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.79
Universal Court 11 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$1.29

Quick Rent Budget Calculator

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Center City, Philadelphia, PA

Ranked #2

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 $1,204.

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 $3,420.

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 580 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 $1,073 which is $2,347 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 Kansas Citys Major Employers & the Best Places to Rent Near Them | A Local Expert Guide article

Kansas Citys Major Employers & the Best Places to Rent Near Them | A Local Expert Guide

Written by: Amber Kanuckel

Hey, there! I’m Amber, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for Kansas City, and I’m back with my recommendations for top employers in the area.

decorative image for How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money article

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.