Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Center City Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA from $600 (293 Rentals)

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

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 1321 Spruce St

$1,200 - $1,300

Studio To 1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Jan 15

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 145 S 13th St

$1,245 - $1,270

1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Jan 15

145 S 13th St

PhiladelphiaPA19107
property at 201 S 13th St

$1,125 - $1,795

Studio To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

201 S 13th St

PhiladelphiaPA19107

Beyond the Cheesesteak: The Ultimate Philadelphia Transplant Guide

Get the true Philly experience! The Philadelphia Insider's Guide to the city's distinct neighborhoods (Fishtown, Queen Village, Society Hill) and must-see local attractions from ApartmentHomeLiving.com.

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property at 1010 Race St

$1,300 - $1,700

Studio To 1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

1010 Race St

PhiladelphiaPA19107

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 2100 Walnut St

$1,170 - $2,550

Studio To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

2100 Walnut St

PhiladelphiaPA19103

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. 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
The DrakeSTUDIOStudio,1BA$1,011
The ClaremontStudioStudio,1BA$1,075
The Chancellor03Studio,1BA$1,075
Papermill Lofts237 #1IStudio,1BA$1,100
One CityResidence - A8Studio,1BA$1,180
Juniper PlaceStudioStudio,1BA$1,185
Old City Apartments124 #202Studio,1BA$1,200

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Center City, PA

As of January 14, 2026 the best value apartment in the Center City area is the $1.43 price per square foot 2 BR/2 BA Model at WLIVING at 117 Spring Garden in the in the Poplar neighborhood starting from $1,995. The second greatest value Center City apartment is the 43 Model at Mariners Court Apartments starting at $2,350 with a $1.77 price per square foot in the Poplar 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.
WLIVING at 117 Spring Garden2 BR/2 BA2BR,2BA$1.43
Mariners Court Apartments432BR,1BA$1.77
1525 South St, Unit 2nd Floor1525 South St2BR,2BA$1.81
Fitler Commons3042BR,1BA$1.60
2315 South St, Unit Apt. 22315 South St3BR,1.5BA$1.83
The Shirt Corner Apartments1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.65
Crafts HouseONE BEDROOM/BI LEVEL1BR,1.5BA$1.89
514 South Street1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.73
2131 Walnut St1031BR,1BA$1.83
Universal Court 11 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$1.29

Beyond Campus: Exploring the Best Philadelphia Neighborhoods for College Life

Find your perfect Philly college neighborhood. We break down the best areas for student renters near major universities, from walkable West Philly to the trendy spots in North Philly.

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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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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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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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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 $1,200.

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 $6,250.

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 317 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 $818 which is $5,432 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Center City.

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 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 Unlock Your Philly Commute: Your Guide to Renting Near the Citys Biggest Employers article

Unlock Your Philly Commute: Your Guide to Renting Near the Citys Biggest Employers

Written by: Richard Corrigan

Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods. Those who live here take great pride in our specific corners of the city.

decorative image for Beyond the Cheesesteak: The Ultimate Philadelphia Transplant Guide article

Beyond the Cheesesteak: The Ultimate Philadelphia Transplant Guide

Written by: Richard Corrigan

Welcome to Philadelphia! It’s the city of brotherly love, cheesesteaks, Ben Franklin and Rocky Balboa. And I don’t think you need me to tell you, it’s also a lot more than that.

decorative image for Beyond Campus: Exploring the Best Philadelphia Neighborhoods for College Life article

Beyond Campus: Exploring the Best Philadelphia Neighborhoods for College Life

Written by: Richard Corrigan

Philadelphia isn’t necessarily thought of as a college town, but it’s home to some of Pennsylvania’s biggest colleges and universities, and thousands of students call the city home.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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

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.

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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!