
Cheap Gated Apartments for Rent in San Diego, CA from $500 (57 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in San Diego.


Arlington Apartments

Trolley Court

Studio 15

Total Monthly Price
Peachtree Inn - Fully furnished units!

Total Monthly Price
The Orchard Senior Apartments (55+)

Hardy Avenue Apartments

Hillcrest Inn

Island Village Apartments

Chamoune Senior Apartments
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.

830 Park Blvd

MBS Studios

WLA Windsor

University Gardens

Vantaggio Little Italy

Vista Lane Family Homes - Affordable Housing

Luther Tower - 55+ Affordable Community

Island Flats

Terrasini Apartments, a 62+ Community

2855-2865 A St San Diego, CA 92102
Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

The Marquis

Harris Family Senior Residence

Redwood Terrace

Messina Senior Apartments

The Presidio Apartments

Total Monthly Price
3672 Van Dyke Ave, Unit 3672 Van Dyke Avenue

Horton 4th Avenue

North Park 55+ Apartments

Total Monthly Price
1331 Willow St, Unit BaysideStudio
San Diego's Best Affordable Neighborhoods
Learn about San Diego and the best places to live with original content written by our , Local Expert Hayden Goldberg

Canyon Breeze

Total Monthly Price
5042 W Point Loma Blvd, Unit 2

North Park Properties

Bridgeview Apartments

Golden Heights Terrace

Indiana Palms

630 W Washington St

4345 McClintock St

The Empire

Persimmon Terrace Senior Apartments
Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

Terrace Gardens Apartments - Seniors 55+

The Village at Lakeside (55+ Community)

Valle at Fairway

Ashwood Apartments

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

Casa Escondida

Guava Gardens (62+ Senior Community)

Village Green Senior Community

Encinitas Senior Living - 55+ Active Adult Apartments

The Village at Rancho San Diego
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.
San Diego, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in San Diego?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Studio Apartments | $2,375 | $900 | $10,000+ |
| San Diego 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,924 | $850 | $10,000+ |
| San Diego 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,783 | $799 | $10,000+ |
| San Diego 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,776 | $899 | $10,000+ |
| San Diego 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,029 | $699 | $10,000+ |
| San Diego 5 Bedroom Apartments | $6,113 | $864 | $10,000+ |
Explore San Diego
San Diego, CA Local Guide
- San Diego Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
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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.
Read ArticleThe 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
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.
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore San Diego, CA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in San Diego, CA
San Diego, CA Area Reviews
Hayden • 4+ years in San Diego
March 6, 2025San 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 $1,295.
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 $6,940.
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 6,593 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 $882 which is $6,058 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

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.

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.

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.

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.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
Written by: Robin Stewart
Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

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.
