Cheap Apartments for Rent in the University City Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA from $500 (252 Rentals)

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

property at 533 Budd St

$850 - $900

Studio Rentals

Available Now

533 Budd St

PhiladelphiaPA19104
property at 535 Budd St

$850 - $900

Studio Rentals

Available Now

535 Budd St

PhiladelphiaPA19104

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Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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

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Chestnut Hall
Rent Specials
$1,200 - $1,653
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,200 - $1,653
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Chestnut Hall

3900 Chestnut StPhiladelphia, PA 19104
Affordability
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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 1346 N 27th St

$1,250

1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

1346 N 27th St

PhiladelphiaPA19121

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

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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 $695. Walnut Street has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $800. 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$695
Walnut StreetSI1BR,1BA$800
Winchester ApartmentsMontgomeryStudio,1BA$850
Springline on 36thStudioStudio,1BA$895
University City AssociatesStudioStudio,1BA$955
Lexington ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,010
44WestStandard Studio1BR,1BA$1,050

Best Value Apartments for Rent in University City, PA

As of June 24, 2026 the best value apartment in the University City area is the $0.84 price per square foot 2 Bed 1 Bath Model at 3830 Baring St in the in the Belmont neighborhood starting from $1,695. The second greatest value University City apartment is the 28 South 48th St Model at 28 South 48th St, Unit 1 starting at $1,895 with a $1.18 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.
3830 Baring St2 Bed 1 Bath2BR,1BA$0.84
28 South 48th St, Unit 128 South 48th St3BR,3BA$1.18
4114 Cambridge St, Unit 4126 Cambridge st4114 Cambridge St2BR,1BA$1.54
1210 N. 27th Street, Unit A1210 N. 27th Street2BR,1.5BA$1.65
327 N 40th St42BR,1BA$1.48
3830 Baring Street, Unit 23830 Baring Street2BR,1BA$1.70
2333 Catharine St, Unit 22333 Catharine St2BR,1BA$1.60
3836 Spring Garden St3 Beds, 3 baths3BR,3BA$1.70
815 N 26th St, Unit 815 N 26th St. 2nd floor apt815 N 26th St1BR,1BA$1.23
4202 Chestnut St, Unit 24202 Chestnut St2BR,1BA$1.53

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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Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University

From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.

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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 #30

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 $1,050.

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

The cheapest apartment in University City is Walnut Street which is listed at $800, while the average apartment in University City costs $4,500.

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 159 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 $740 which is $3,760 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.

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