Cheap Apartments for Rent in the University City Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA from $500 (276 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the University 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 729 N 43rd St

$950 - $1,400

1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

729 N 43rd St

PhiladelphiaPA19104

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

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Beyond the Cheesesteak: The Ultimate Philadelphia Transplant Guide

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property at 929 N 40th St

$1,100 - $1,300

Studio To 1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

929 N 40th St

PhiladelphiaPA19104
property at 4087 Lancaster Ave

$1,100 - $1,500

Studio To 1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

4087 Lancaster Ave

PhiladelphiaPA19104

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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property at 3962 Parrish St

$1,150 - $1,500

1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

3962 Parrish St

PhiladelphiaPA19104
property at 4124 Haverford Ave

$1,169 - $1,720

Studio To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

4124 Haverford Ave

PhiladelphiaPA19104

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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University City, Philadelphia, PA Local Guide

Cheapest Available University City Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the University City area of Philadelphia, PA is a 3 Beds unit found at Student Housing - Newly Renovated priced from $635. Winchester Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $850. Here are the most affordable University City apartments for rent in Philadelphia, PA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Student Housing - Newly Renovated3BR/1.0BA3BR,1BA$635
Winchester ApartmentsMontgomeryStudio,1BA$850
Chester Lynne Apartments0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$890
University Court ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$895
4107 Chester0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$975
University City AssociatesStudioStudio,1BA$985
Mantua Preservation ProjectMantua Preservation Project2BR,1BA$992
Chester PlazastudioStudio,1BA$1,025

Best Value Apartments for Rent in University City, PA

As of December 21, 2025 the best value apartment in the University City area is the $1.11 price per square foot 529 N 35th St Model at 529 N 35th St, Unit 1 in the in the Belmont neighborhood starting from $2,000. The second greatest value University City apartment is the 3839 Hamilton St Model at 3839 Hamilton St, Unit 3 starting at $2,000 with a $1.25 price per square foot in the Belmont neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for University City apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
529 N 35th St, Unit 1529 N 35th St4BR,2.5BA$1.11
3839 Hamilton St, Unit 33839 Hamilton St4BR,2BA$1.25
4046 Ogden St, Unit C4046 Ogden St3BR,1BA$0.92
601 N 39th St, Unit 2601 N 39th St3BR,1BA$1.25
4009 Aspen St, Unit B4009 Aspen St3BR,1.5BA$1.23
4102 Ogden St, Unit B4102 Ogden St3BR,1BA$1.23
759 N Preston St, Unit a759 N Preston St3BR,1.5BA$1.23
1720 Memorial Ave, Unit Three1720 Memorial Ave2BR,1BA$1.17
Mantua Preservation ProjectMantua Preservation Project2BR,1BA$0.99
4511-17 Pine Street1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.19

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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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
University City, Philadelphia, PA

Ranked #34

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

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
University City, Philadelphia, PA

School data provided by Great Schools

Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you Lifestyle Ratings of rentals in areas across the United States, including Philadelphia. LifeStyle Ratings are a useful tool for comparing and sorting apartments and neighborhoods when choosing your rental home. This takes in many factors including our Star Ratings to compare for the best outdoor access, luxury amenities, family-friendly amenities, raising pets, transit options, and more. Find Lifestyle Search in the filter options (above). Happy Searching!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap University City Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in University City?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in University City is under $1,025.

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

The cheapest apartment in University City is Student Housing - Newly Renovated which is listed at $680, while the average apartment in University City costs $8,290.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in University 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 175 regular apartments in University 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 University City?

Cheap apartments in University City have an average cost of $785 which is $7,505 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in University 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.

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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.

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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.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

decorative image for Renting with Roommates: Realistic Expectations for Shared Lease article

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! 

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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.