Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Southwest Center City Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA from $400 (206 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Southwest 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 1300 S 19th St

1300 S 19th St

PhiladelphiaPA19146
property at 2100 Walnut St

2100 Walnut St

PhiladelphiaPA19103
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 2101 Chestnut St

2101 Chestnut St

PhiladelphiaPA19103
property at 1324 Locust St

1324 Locust St

PhiladelphiaPA19107

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 2311 Spruce St

2311 Spruce 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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Southwest Center City, Philadelphia, PA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Southwest Center City Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Southwest 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 Southwest 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
Birchwood at Cedars Village (55+ Community)1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$987
1501 Locust St Residential0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,000
Juniper PlaceStudioStudio,1BA$1,025
The ClaremontStudioStudio,1BA$1,075
Spruce Tower-01Studio,1BA$1,187
Ronan FlatsD1Studio,1BA$1,204

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Southwest Center City, PA

As of October 17, 2025 the best value apartment in the Southwest Center City area is the $1.51 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 $2,950. The second greatest value Southwest 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 Southwest 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$1.51
2013 Walnut St, Unit #42013 Walnut St2BR,1.5BA$1.19
778 S Harshaw St, Unit 2778 S Harshaw St2BR,1.5BA$1.22
2218 Ellsworth St, Unit 2218 Ellsworth Street2218 Ellsworth St3BR,2BA$1.22
529 S 17th St, Unit B529 S 17th St2BR,1BA$1.43
1629 South St, Unit 1629 South St. 1 Bed 1 Ba1629 South St1BR,1BA$1.30
2037 Christian St, Unit 32037 Christian St1BR,1BA$1.26
1015 E Passyunk Ave, Unit Floor #11015 E Passyunk Ave1BR,1BA$1.59
Birchwood at Cedars Village (55+ Community)1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.41
Universal Court 11 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$1.29

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
Southwest Center City, Philadelphia, PA

Ranked #22

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 compiles millions of data points to bring you our detailed rental analysis called 'Lifestyle Ratings' - a comparison of rentals in metropolitan areas across the United States, including Philadelphia. Lifestyle Ratings show you the best fit for your needs and interests. This takes in many factors including rankings of the best places for easy access to the parks, luxury amenities, 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.

Getting Around the Southwest Center City Neighborhood in Philadelphia, PA

Walk Score®

94 / 100

Walker’s Paradise

Daily errands do not require a car

Bike Score®

92 / 100

Biker's Paradise

Daily errands can be accomplished on a bike

Transit Score®

87 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit is convenient for most trips

What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?

  • Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
  • Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
  • Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Southwest Center City Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Southwest Center City?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Southwest Center City is under $1,204.

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

The cheapest apartment in Southwest Center City is Universal Court 1 which is listed at $812, while the average apartment in Southwest Center City costs $3,434.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Southwest 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 262 regular apartments in Southwest 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 Southwest Center City?

Cheap apartments in Southwest Center City have an average cost of $1,209 which is $2,225 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Southwest 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 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.

decorative image for Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between article

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

For many people, obstacles can arise during the rental application process for a variety of issues.