Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Balboa Park Neighborhood of San Diego, CA from $500 (90 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Balboa Park area of San Diego.

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3942 8th Ave
Rent Specials
$995 - $1,450
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$845 - $1,300
Required Monthly Fees
$150

Total Monthly Price
$995 - $1,450
Studio Apartments Available Now

3942 8th Ave

3942 8th AveSan Diego, CA 92103
Affordability
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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
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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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Indiana Palms
1 Bedroom Apartments

Indiana Palms

3621 Indiana StSan Diego, CA 92103
  • Utilities Included
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Vantaggio Broadway
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Vantaggio Broadway

2650 BroadwaySan Diego, CA 92102
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4576-4580 32nd St
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

4576-4580 32nd St

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

Aldea at Hamilton

3962 Hamilton StSan Diego, CA 92104
  • Utilities Included

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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 Trolley Court priced from $974. 3942 8th Ave has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $995. Here are the most affordable Balboa Park apartments for rent in San Diego, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Trolley CourtStandardStudio,$974
3942 8th AveStudioStudio,$995
Peachtree Inn - Fully furnished units!StandardStudio,1BA$1,062
Hillcrest InnStudioStudio,1BA$1,250
The Residences at 3954 KansasOne Bedroom, One Bath1BR,1BA$1,292
Island Village ApartmentsStudio ALL UTILITIES IncludedStudio,1BA$1,300
Luther Tower - 55+ Affordable CommunityStudioStudio,1BA$1,350
830 Park BlvdStudioStudio,1BA$1,400
The Marquis at HillcrestThe UniversityStudio,1BA$1,450
Vantaggio Little ItalySmall full size bedStudio,1BA$1,450

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Balboa Park, CA

As of February 28, 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 3722 Florida St Model at 3722 Florida St, Unit 3 starting at $4,000 with a $2.67 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
3722 Florida St, Unit 33722 Florida St3BR,2.5BA$2.67
Koll CenterLarge 2 Bed 1.5 Bath2BR,1.5BA$2.71
Pacific Vu ApartmentsTwo Bedroom, Two Bath2BR,2BA$2.56
Horton 4th Avenue1BD1BR,1BA$2.60
Union GrantvilleB22BR,2BA$1.96
Hillside ApartmentsStandard1BR,1BA$2.33
The Residences at 3954 KansasOne Bedroom, One Bath1BR,1BA$1.72
3432 Reynard Way, Unit Josie Lograsso3432 Reynard Way1BR,1BA$2.54
4030 Front St4030 Front St.1BR,1BA$2.44

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How much rent can you afford?

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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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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 $4,959.

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 59 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 $425 which is $4,534 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.

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