Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Diego, CA from $500 with Washer/Dryer (30 Rentals)

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

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.

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Turquoise Place
2 Bedroom Apartments

Turquoise Place

891 Turquoise StSan Diego, CA 92109
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Jean C. McKinney Manor
1 Bedroom Apartments

Jean C. McKinney Manor

5641 Imperial AveSan Diego, CA 92114
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included
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Living Q
Studio Apartments

Living Q

1903-1911 K StSan Diego, CA 92102
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WLA 509 Park
Studio Apartments

WLA 509 Park

509 Park BlvdSan Diego, CA 92101
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Bay Palms Apartment
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Bay Palms Apartment

2201-2233 Grand AveSan Diego, CA 92109
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Valencia Pointe
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Valencia Pointe

5930 Division StSan Diego, CA 92114
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Washington Crossing
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Washington Crossing

1445 Washington StSan Diego, CA 92103

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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Texas Street
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Texas Street

4118 Texas StSan Diego, CA 92104
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1202 Pearl
$1,471 - $2,165
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$1,471 - $2,165
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1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

1202 Pearl

1202 N Pearl StTacoma, WA 98406
Active Lifestyle
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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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Magnolia Apartments
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Magnolia Apartments

732 Magnolia AveEl Cajon, CA 92020
Furnished
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Pacifica Sunrise
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Pacifica Sunrise

921 S Sunshine AveEl Cajon, CA 92020
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Sund Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Sund Apartments

1145 4th AveChula Vista, CA 91911
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Ironwood Villas
2 Bedroom Apartments

Ironwood Villas

214 W 13th StEscondido, CA 92025
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Grove Lofts
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Grove Lofts

8465 BroadwayLemon Grove, CA 91945
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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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Escondido Villas
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Escondido Villas

1136 N Escondido BlvdEscondido, CA 92026
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Showing Results 1-30, Page 1 of 1

San Diego, CA Local Guide

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 $6,754.

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 6,829 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 $878 which is $5,876 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.