Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Balboa Park Neighborhood of San Diego, CA from $500 (94 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Balboa Park area of 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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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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property at 3843 Park Blvd

$1,700 - $1,950

Studio To 1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

3843 Park Blvd

San DiegoCA92103
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Versa
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Versa

2355 Via AltaSan Diego, CA 92108
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included
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Cedar Gateway
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Cedar Gateway

550 Cedar StSan Diego, CA 92101

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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CCBA Senior Garden
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

CCBA Senior Garden

438 3rd AveSan Diego, CA 92101
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included
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4462-4468 30th St
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

4462-4468 30th St

4462-4468 30th StSan Diego, CA 92116
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Casa De Lago
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Casa De Lago

4145 Iowa StSan Diego, CA 92104
  • Utilities Included
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3970 Goldfinch St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

3970 Goldfinch St

3970 Goldfinch StSan Diego, CA 92103
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Metro Villas Apartments
1 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Metro Villas Apartments

4031-4091 39th StSan Diego, CA 92105
  • Utilities Included
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Vantaggio Broadway
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Vantaggio Broadway

2650 BroadwaySan Diego, CA 92102
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Indiana Palms
1 Bedroom Apartments

Indiana Palms

3621 Indiana StSan Diego, CA 92103
  • Utilities Included

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.

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Balboa Park, San Diego, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Balboa Park Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Balboa Park area of San Diego, CA is a Studio unit found at Arlington Apartments priced from $900. Trolley Court has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $974. Here are the most affordable Balboa Park apartments for rent in San Diego, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Arlington ApartmentsSingle Room OccupantStudio,$900
Trolley CourtStandardStudio,$974
3942 8th AveStudioStudio,$995
Peachtree Inn - Fully furnished units!StandardStudio,1BA$1,062
The Residences at 3954 KansasOne Bedroom, One Bath1BR,1BA$1,292
Island Village ApartmentsStudio ALL UTILITIES IncludedStudio,1BA$1,300
Villa De Oro ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,400
MBS StudiosStudioStudio,1BA$1,400
Indiana Street Apartments1x1A1BR,1BA$1,428
Vantaggio Little ItalySmall full size bedStudio,1BA$1,450

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Balboa Park, CA

As of April 14, 2026 the best value apartment in the Balboa Park 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 Balboa Park apartment is the 3x2 Model at South Park Place starting at $3,300 with a $2.17 price per square foot in the Balboa Park neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Balboa Park apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Lofts at 734 University AveHuge Loft UnitsStudio ,1BA$1.72
South Park Place3x23BR,2BA$2.17
Viridian LoftsOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,1BA$1.77
Cornerstone Lofts1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$2.40
MBS StudiosStudioStudio ,1BA$1.56
Union GrantvilleB22BR,2BA$1.96
Pacific Vu ApartmentsOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$2.38
Hillside ApartmentsStandard1BR,1BA$2.33
The Residences at 3954 KansasOne Bedroom, One Bath1BR,1BA$1.72
Villa De Oro ApartmentsStudioStudio ,1BA$2.33

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 Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.

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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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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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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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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

Ranked #1

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

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving.com compiles millions of data points to bring you our detailed rental search system called 'Lifestyle ratings', composed of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, including Balboa Park, San Diego, and the greater San Diego area. LifeStyle Ratings are a useful tool for comparing and sorting apartments and neighborhoods when choosing your rental home. This takes in many factors including rankings of the best places for easy access to the parks, luxury amenities, places to raise kids, raising pets, transit options, and how walkable or bikeable each community and area is. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Balboa Park Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Balboa Park?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Balboa Park is under $1,450.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Balboa Park?

The cheapest apartment in Balboa Park is The Residences at 3954 Kansas which is listed at $1,292, while the average apartment in Balboa Park costs $5,087.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Balboa Park?

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 65 regular apartments in Balboa Park 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 Balboa Park?

Cheap apartments in Balboa Park have an average cost of $446 which is $4,641 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Balboa Park.

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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Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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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.

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Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.

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Renting your next home can feel thrilling and overwhelming at the same time.

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A Renters Guide for Tips on Writing Your Notice for Not Renewing Your Apartment

Written by: Bob Mallory

Packing up everything you own to move is so stressful for many that ending your apartment lease can feel like a small or unimportant task. Ending your lease involves more than simply turning over your keys on the last day.