Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Diego, CA from $300 (276 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in San Diego.

property at 4775 54th St

$800 - $1,000

1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

4775 54th St

San DiegoCA92115
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Victory on Paseo
Rent Specials
$1,124 - $2,625
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,124 - $2,625
Total Monthly Price
$1,124 - $2,625
3 to 5 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Victory on Paseo

5505 Lindo PaseoSan Diego, CA 92115
Student Housing
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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.

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property at 1043 Sampson St

$1,350 - $2,450

Studio To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

1043 Sampson St

San DiegoCA92113

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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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 6328 Cleo St

$1,495 - $4,500

1 To 4 Bedroom Rentals

Available Aug 1

6328 Cleo St

San DiegoCA92115
property at 3843 Park Blvd

$1,500 - $1,800

Studio To 1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

3843 Park Blvd

San DiegoCA92103

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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Turquoise Place
2 Bedroom Apartments

Turquoise Place

891 Turquoise StSan Diego, CA 92109

Moving to North County San Diego: Costs, Commutes, and Culture

From surf culture to family-friendly neighborhoods, discover the best North County San Diego areas to rent and what they’re like day-to-day.

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San Diego, CA Local Guide

Photo of Justin Habersaat - Editing Staff
Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in San Diego, CA

Pricing Updated: 06/03/2026

Current apartment rentals in the San Diego, CA area range in price from $850 to $29,708 with an overall median price of $7,200. The three San Diego neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Sherman Heights at $1,575, Ridgeview Webster at $1,800, and Swan Canyon at $1,650. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for San Diego Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Sherman Heights$1,575$1,5751
Ridgeview Webster$1,800$1,8001
Swan Canyon$1,800$1,6502
Colina Del Sol$2,200$1,2952
Mountain View$2,223$1,5008
Southcrest$2,350$1,5003
Chollas Creek$2,400$1,5955
City Heights$2,400$85016
Fairmont Village$2,472$1,9753
Teralta East$2,545$1,5775

Cheapest Available San Diego Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in San Diego, CA is a 4 Beds unit found at The Rive San Diego in the Rolando neighborhood priced from $386. Fifty Twenty-Five in the College West neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 4 Beds apartment currently listed from $869. Here is today’s list of the most affordable San Diego apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Rive San Diego4x4 B4BR,4BA$386
Fifty Twenty-Five4BR/4BA - Semi Private - Elite (D)4BR,4BA$869
Arlington ApartmentsSingle Room OccupantStudio,$900
Trolley CourtStandardStudio,$974
3942 8th AveStudioStudio,$995
Studio 15Studios - 50% AMI - Utilities includedStudio,1BA$1,050
Peachtree Inn - Fully furnished units!StandardStudio,1BA$1,062
Victory on Paseo5BR/3BA - A5BR,3BA$1,124
Hardy Avenue Apartments | Walk to SDSU | 3BR for Roommates3 BR 2 BA3BR,2BA$1,165
CelesteS1Studio,1BA$1,204

Best Value Apartments for Rent in San Diego, CA

As of June 03, 2026 the best value apartment in the San Diego area is the $1.72 price per square foot Huge Loft Units Model at Lofts at 734 University Ave in the in the Balboa Park neighborhood starting from $3,100. The second greatest value San Diego apartment is the 4x4 B Model at The Rive San Diego starting at $386 with a $0.23 price per square foot in the Rolando neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for San Diego apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Lofts at 734 University AveHuge Loft UnitsStudio ,1BA$1.72
The Rive San Diego4x4 B4BR,4BA$0.23
Courtyard on 68thA2BR,2BA$1.83
250 B Ave, Unit 250250 B Ave1BR,1BA$1.38
Topaz3x3 A3BR,3BA$1.75
Fifty Twenty-Five2BR/2BA - Semi Private - Premium2BR,2BA$1.05
2949-2955 Logan Ave1 bedroom1BR,1BA$1.55
MBS StudiosStudioStudio ,1BA$1.56
Hardy Avenue Apartments | Walk to SDSU | 3BR for Roommates3 BR 2 BA3BR,2BA$1.30
Union GrantvilleB22BR,2BA$1.96

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 Student Renter's Ultimate Guide to Finding the Perfect San Diego Neighborhood to Rent

Learn About the Best Neighborhoods to Rent Near College Campuses in San Diego, CA | Find San Diego Off-Campus Student Housing

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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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San Diego Overview

San Diego is a major city on the Pacific Coast in Southern California and is adjacent to the Mexican border. Home to over 1.3 million people, San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and is nicknamed “America’s Finest City”. The major industries are military/defense, tourism, international trade, and manufacturing. There is also a wide variety of apartments in San Diego available for residents who move here to find a great place to call home.

Why live in San Diego, CA?

While the cost of living is higher than average in San Diego, the city offers near perfect weather year round, a wide variety of outdoors activities, beautiful beaches, museums and other cultural centers, and a professional sports events. Fans of local sports have their choice of supporting the San Diego Chargers (football), the San Diego Padres (baseball), the San Diego Gulls (ice hockey) and a newly formed rugby team.

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore San Diego, CA Rentals by Map

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See the most popular apartments and homes in San Diego, CA

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San Diego, CA Area Reviews

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Hayden • 4+ years in San Diego

March 6, 2025

San Diego is an amazing city for families, young professionals, and retirees!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap San Diego Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in San Diego?

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

What is the price of a cheap apartment in San Diego?

The cheapest apartment in San Diego is Meade Avenue Apartments which is listed at $1,295, while the average apartment in San Diego costs $7,200.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in San Diego?

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 3,413 regular apartments in San Diego 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 San Diego?

Cheap apartments in San Diego have an average cost of $681 which is $6,519 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in San Diego.

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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Top 10 Most Affordable Neighborhoods in San Diego: A Local Real Estate Expert Guide

Written by: Hayden Goldberg

Aloha! I’m Hayden, your local San Diego Realtor and relocation expert with ApartmentHomeLiving.com.

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Your Guide to Picking the Perfect San Diego Neighborhood for Student Renters

Written by: Hayden Goldberg

Choosing the right place to live during your college years can make or break your collegiate experience. My name is Hayden, I’m a San Diego area expert with ApartmentHomeLiving.com and have been in the real estate world for years.

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Ditch the Freeway: San Diego's Best Renting Spots for a Shorter Commute

Written by: Hayden Goldberg

Hey there! I’m Hayden, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for San Diego.

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Moving to North County San Diego: Costs, Commutes, and Culture

Written by: Hayden Goldberg

Sun, surf, clean air, healthy lifestyles, and a coastline that seems to stretch as far as the eyes can see.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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Neighborhood and Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent

Written by: Robin Stewart

Apartment-hunting can be a gargantuan task. Renters have a wish list of items—some luxuries, some necessities—but finding what you seek in the right place is perhaps the most important part of the journey.

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A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back

Written by: Lauren Harrington

I’m going to talk with you as a seasoned property manager and friend. So, let’s start with your security deposit. I want you to think about this guide as insider information. You deserve your deposit back.

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Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article is based on first-hand experience managing apartment communities and helping renters adapt to their spaces after moving in.

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What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.