Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Diego, CA from $500 with Utilities Included (194 Rentals)

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Apartments with Utilities Included.

Cheap Apartments in San Diego.

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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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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Southwest Village
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Southwest Village

323-338 Willie James Jones AveSan Diego, CA 92102
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Tesoro Grove Apartments
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Tesoro Grove Apartments

1150 Tesoro Grove WaySan Diego, CA 92154
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Jean C. McKinney Manor
1 Bedroom Apartments

Jean C. McKinney Manor

5641 Imperial AveSan Diego, CA 92114
Senior Living
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Pelican Point
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Pelican Point

5101-5107 Narragansett AveSan Diego, CA 92107
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Cascade Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Cascade Apartments

5826-5848 Streamview DrSan Diego, CA 92105
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Living Q
Studio Apartments

Living Q

1903-1911 K StSan Diego, CA 92102
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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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Casa De Lago
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Casa De Lago

4145 Iowa StSan Diego, CA 92104
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2253-2285 Dunlop St
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

2253-2285 Dunlop St

2253-2285 Dunlop StSan Diego, CA 92111
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Serra Bella Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Serra Bella Apartments

2707 Mission Village DrSan Diego, CA 92123
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Metro Villas Apartments
1 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Metro Villas Apartments

4031-4091 39th StSan Diego, CA 92105
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Winona Towers
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Winona Towers

4544 Winona AveSan Diego, CA 92115
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Royal Diane Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Royal Diane Apartments

5005 Diane AveSan Diego, CA 92117
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Indiana Palms
1 Bedroom Apartments

Indiana Palms

3621 Indiana StSan Diego, CA 92103
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4576-4580 32nd St
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

4576-4580 32nd St

4576-4580 32nd StSan Diego, CA 92116
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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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Aldea at Hamilton
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Aldea at Hamilton

3962 Hamilton StSan Diego, CA 92104
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CCBA Senior Garden
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

CCBA Senior Garden

438 3rd AveSan Diego, CA 92101
Senior Living
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630 W Washington St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

630 W Washington St

630 W Washington StSan Diego, CA 92103
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4835 Saratoga Ave
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

4835 Saratoga Ave

4835 Saratoga AveSan Diego, CA 92107
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563 22nd St
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

563 22nd St

563 22nd StSan Diego, CA 92102
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2525 Broadway
Studio Apartments

2525 Broadway

2525 BroadwaySan Diego, CA 92102
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Euclid Terrace Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Euclid Terrace Apartments

240-260 Euclid AveSan Diego, CA 92114
Senior Living
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Bandar Salaam
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Bandar Salaam

3810 Winona AveSan Diego, CA 92105
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Who Pays for Utilities? Landlord or Tenant?

Your Guide to Understanding Who is Responsible for Which Utilities for When Renting. Click Below to Read More

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San Diego, CA Local Guide

10 Hidden Costs of Renting You Should Budget for Before Signing a Lease

Avoid financial stress when renting. Learn about the 10 most common hidden costs—from pet fees to utilities—you must budget for before you sign a lease.

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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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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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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.

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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 $1,295.

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 $6,719.

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 4,411 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 $732 which is $5,987 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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.