Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Portland Neighborhood of Portland, OR from $500 (168 Rentals)

How Many Bedrooms?Done
Select your price rangeDone
Lifestyle Matching SearchDone
Learn more about Lifestyle Search
By AmenitiesDone
By Community TypeDone
Features and AvailabilityDone
Done

Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Portland area of Portland.

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.

Read Article

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.

Read Article

Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

Read Article

Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

Read Article

Portland’s Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about Portland and the best places to live with original content written by our Portland, OR Local Expert Chad Deitchley

Read Article
Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 4

Downtown Portland, Portland, OR Local Guide

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 St. Francis Park priced from $536. Alder 9 has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $626. Here are the most affordable Downtown Portland apartments for rent in Portland, OR:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
St. Francis ParkStudioStudio,1BA$536
Alder 9Studio 30%Studio,1BA$626
Modern Rich Apartments0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$649
Fountain Place ApartmentsStudio - 60%Studio,1BA$737
Hamilton WestHamilton West: Your Urban Oasis in PortlandStudio,1BA$757
5th Avenue Place ApartmentsStudio, 1 bathStudio,1BA$795
Emmons PlaceSTUDIOSStudio,1BA$799
Morrison Park ApartmentsStudio - 50%Studio,1BA$800
Margaret Carter PlazaOne Bathroom One Bedroom HUD Unit1BR,1BA$848
The Yards at Union StationSTUDIO BStudio,1BA$900

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Portland, OR

As of July 30, 2025 the best value apartment in the Downtown Portland area is the $1.60 price per square foot Residence 9 Model at Harrison Tower Apartment Homes in the in the Homestead neighborhood starting from $2,648. The second greatest value Downtown Portland apartment is the 0x1 100 Model at Midtown East starting at $1,145 with a $1.41 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 ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Harrison Tower Apartment HomesResidence 93BR,2BA$1.60
Midtown East0x1 100Studio ,1BA$1.41
Wellesley Court Apartments1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.72
Park Avenue Gardens1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$1.64
Hidwell Apartments1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.68
Pine Cone Apartments1bed1bath1BR,1BA$1.62
Margaret Carter PlazaOne Bathroom One Bedroom HUD Unit1BR,1BA$1.47
5th Avenue Place ApartmentsStudio, 1 bathStudio ,1BA$1.67
Fountain Place ApartmentsStudio - 60%Studio ,1BA$1.69
St. Francis ParkStudioStudio ,1BA$1.34

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.

decorative image of people with a giant lease agreement

Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Downtown Portland, Portland, OR

Ranked #8

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

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

decorative image of woman handing cat to small boy

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 $900.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Portland?

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Portland is St. Francis Park which is listed at $554, while the average apartment in Downtown Portland costs $4,250.

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 98 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 $182 which is $4,068 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown Portland.

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 Portland Expert’s Guide To 10 Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent article

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.

decorative image for Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting article

Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Throughout the day, think about all the times that you have to pay for something. So many of us reach automatically for a credit card or even our phone for a quick payment.

decorative image for Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls article

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

Written by: Cheryl Bowman

A fantastic way to save money and enjoy a built-in community is to share an apartment. However, a bad roommate situation can turn your dream rental into a nightmare.

decorative image for The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour article

The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Written by: Marie Brown

You’ve scrolled through countless listings, walked through a blur of rentals, and finally found what feels like the one. The pictures? Fantastic. The neighborhood seems just right.