
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Portland Neighborhood of Portland, OR from $400 (203 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Portland area of Portland.


Waterleaf

Helen Swindells Building

Modern Rich Apartments

Hamilton West

Doricourt Apartments

Fountain Place Apartments

Westshore

Regency Apartments

Morrison Park Apartments
What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much
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.

The Yards

The Yards at Union Station

Gretchen Kafoury Commons

Mississippi Court

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Washington Plaza Apartments

Emmons Place

Total Monthly Price
Koz on 4th

Stadium Station

Fifth Avenue Place Apartments
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.

The Derby Slabtown

Park Avenue Apartments

Clay & Tiffany

Koz on Sixteenth

Louisa Flowers apartments

Midtown East

Pacific Tower Apartments

The Zeno

Lovejoy Station

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Park Plaza
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.

Westfal Apartments

Goose Hollow Lofts

Total Monthly Price
Koz on 13th

Total Monthly Price
The Addy

Ongford Apartments

Pine Cone Apartments

The Morrison

1519 SW Columbia St

The Vue

Midtown West Apartments
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.

Tiller Terrace

JEANNE MANOR APARTMENTS (JEAN01)

St. Francis Park

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Analog PDX

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Collective on 4th

1428 SE Madison St

1527 SW Columbia St

Sovereign Building

Brio Flats

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Oro Apartments
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.
Downtown Portland, Portland, OR Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Downtown Portland?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Portland Studio Apartments | $1,318 | $470 | $2,397 |
| Downtown Portland 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,888 | $1,019 | $6,650 |
| Downtown Portland 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,825 | $1,226 | $8,930 |
| Downtown Portland 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,795 | $1,458 | $9,093 |
| Downtown Portland 4 Bedroom Apartments | $8,117 | $8,117 | $8,117 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 203 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown Portland Neighborhood of Portland, OR.
See all Apartments in PortlandExplore Portland
Downtown Portland, Portland, OR Local Guide
- Nearby Portland neighborhoods
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Cheapest Available Downtown Portland Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Portland area of Portland, OR is a Studio unit found at Waterleaf priced from $480. Helen Swindells Building has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $500. Here are the most affordable Downtown Portland apartments for rent in Portland, OR:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterleaf | Studio | Studio,1BA | $480 |
| Helen Swindells Building | 0x1 | Studio,1BA | $500 |
| Modern Rich Apartments | 0BR/1.0BA | Studio,1BA | $649 |
| Hamilton West | Hamilton West: Your Urban Oasis in Portland | Studio,1BA | $789 |
| Margaret Carter Plaza | Studio HUD Unit | Studio,1BA | $800 |
| Doricourt Apartments | Studio (215sq ft '04’s, '05s, '09s, '10s, '11s,... | Studio,1BA | $825 |
| Fountain Place Apartments | Studio - 60% | Studio,1BA | $860 |
| Westshore | studio | Studio,1BA | $869 |
| Morrison Park Apartments | 0BR/1.0BA | Studio,1BA | $875 |
| Regency Apartments | Studio A | Studio,1BA | $875 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Portland, OR
As of June 20, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Portland area is the $1.78 price per square foot 2x2g Model at The Russell by Trion Living in the in the Northeast Portland neighborhood starting from $2,118. The second greatest value Downtown Portland apartment is the 0x1 100 Model at Midtown East starting at $999 with a $1.23 price per square foot in the Northwest Portland neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Portland apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Russell by Trion Living | 2x2g | 2BR,2BA | $1.78 |
| Midtown East | 0x1 100 | Studio ,1BA | $1.23 |
| 1607 Apartments | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $1.79 |
| Waterleaf | 1 Bedroom 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $1.83 |
| Buckman Heights | One-Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $1.98 |
| Westcott Properties | 2x1 | 2BR,1BA | $1.92 |
| Worthington | 1BR (622sq ft '09s) | 1BR,1BA | $1.97 |
| Blumel Hall | One Bedroom- Unfurnished | 1BR,1BA | $1.81 |
| Westfal Apartments | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $1.71 |
| Margaret Carter Plaza | One Bathroom One Bedroom HUD Unit | 1BR,1BA | $1.55 |
The Portland Power Commute: Top Neighborhoods for Renters Near the City’s Major Job Hubs
Balance work and life in Portland. Explore the neighborhoods for renting that offer great amenities and quick commutes to the city's top major employers. Find your Portland apartment today!
Read ArticleDon'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.
Read ArticleA Local Experts Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in Portland
A Local Experts guide to the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods Near Colleges in the Portland area. Find your perfect Student apartment, condo, or rental home today
Read ArticleReal 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.
Read ArticleQuick 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.
Lifestyle Ratings
ApartmentHomeLiving brings you comprehensive Lifestyle Ratings of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, and customized analysis for Central Portland, OR. Our Lifestyle Ratings help you zero-in on the perfect place to call home. This takes in many factors including our Star Ratings to compare for the best proximity to parks and outdoor amenities, luxury amenities, kid and pet-friendly communities, availability of transit options, walking, and biking. Use Lifestyle Search in the site filter options on this page - and find your Perfect place!
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Portland Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Portland?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Portland is under $875.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Portland?
The cheapest apartment in Downtown Portland is Margaret Carter Plaza which is listed at $889, while the average apartment in Downtown Portland costs $8,117.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown Portland?
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 140 regular apartments in Downtown Portland 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 Downtown Portland?
Cheap apartments in Downtown Portland have an average cost of $405 which is $7,712 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown Portland.
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

A Portland Expert’s Guide To 10 Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent
Written by: Chad Deitchley
As your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Portland, Oregon, I’d like to briefly introduce myself. My name is Chad, and I come to the ApartmentHomeLiving.com team after living in Portland for decades.

Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in Portland
Written by: Chad Deitchley
Hello! My name is Chad, and I joined the ApartmentHomeLiving.com team as a Local Expert after living in Portland, Oregon, for more than 20 years. I have a deep love for this charming and vibrant city.

The Portland Power Commute: Top Neighborhoods for Renters Near the City’s Major Job Hubs
Written by: Chad Deitchley
Let me introduce myself as your ApartmentHomeLiving Local Expert for Portland, Oregon. I’m Chad, and I can attest firsthand to the vibrant and funky nature of this one-of-a-kind city.

From Arts to Eats: A Local Insiders Guide to Living in Portland's Best Spots
Written by: Chad Deitchley
Hello! My name is Chad, and I am your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Portland, Oregon. After living in this one-of-a-kind city for more than 20 years, I have seen it change in many exciting ways.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention
Written by: Robin Stewart
There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide
Written by: Robin Stewart
Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.

Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.

Creative Ways Developers Reimagine Retail Spaces as Residential Units
Written by: Robin Stewart
Adaptive reuse is when a commercial property is converted and repurposed. The real estate industry has embraced a growing number of these projects.
