Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Core-columbia Neighborhood of San Diego, CA from $500 (116 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Core-columbia 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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Entrada
$1,907 - $2,132
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$1,907 - $2,132
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Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Entrada

453 13th StSan Diego, CA 92101
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property at 140 Hawthorn St

$1,950

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$1,950
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$1,950

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent

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140 Hawthorn St

San DiegoCA92101
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Tenth&G
Rent Specials
$1,976 - $3,249
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$1,976 - $3,249
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Tenth&G

707 10th AveSan Diego, CA 92101
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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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City View
Rent Specials
$2,140 - $2,826
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$2,140 - $2,826
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1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

City View

840 17th StSan Diego, CA 92101
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K1 Apartments
Rent Specials
$2,166 - $4,418
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$2,166 - $4,418
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Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

K1 Apartments

330 13th StSan Diego, CA 92101
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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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GEMA
Rent Specials
$2,305 - $3,615
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$2,305 - $3,615
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1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

GEMA

1471 8th AveSan Diego, CA 92101
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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.

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Core-columbia, San Diego, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Core-columbia Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Core-columbia 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 Core-columbia apartments for rent in San Diego, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Arlington ApartmentsSingle Room OccupantStudio,$900
Trolley CourtStandardStudio,$974
Studio 15Studios - 50% AMI - Utilities includedStudio,1BA$1,050
Peachtree Inn - Fully furnished units!StandardStudio,1BA$1,062
Island Village ApartmentsStudio ALL UTILITIES IncludedStudio,1BA$1,300
MBS StudiosStudioStudio,1BA$1,400
Vantaggio Little ItalySmall full size bedStudio,1BA$1,450
Luther Tower - 55+ Affordable CommunityStudioStudio,1BA$1,475
WLA Windsor0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,495
Island FlatsSmall StudioStudio,1BA$1,500

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Core-columbia, CA

As of July 12, 2026 the best value apartment in the Core-columbia area is the $2.86 price per square foot 1150 J St Model at 1150 J St, Unit 217 in the in the Balboa Park neighborhood starting from $3,200. The second greatest value Core-columbia apartment is the Two Bedroom in Little Italy / San Diego Model at Villa Maria Apartments starting at $3,123 with a $3.12 price per square foot in the Balboa Park neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Core-columbia apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
1150 J St, Unit 2171150 J St2BR,2BA$2.86
Villa Maria ApartmentsTwo Bedroom in Little Italy / San Diego2BR,1.5BA$3.12
13th & MarketTwo Bedroom B2A2BR,2BA$3.07
Pioneer – Lofts (PIOLOF)Lofts1BR,1BA$2.77
MBS StudiosStudioStudio ,1BA$1.56
Vera Cortez HillA1 (Premium)1BR,1BA$3.06
2140-2144 1st Ave1 Beds, 1 Baths1BR,1BA$2.66
Koll CenterLarge 1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$3.13
The LeoStudioStudio ,1BA$2.66
Horton 4th AvenueStudiosStudio ,1BA$2.95

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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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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Lifestyle Ratings

This website compares millions of points of data to bring you our detailed rental search system called 'Lifestyle ratings', composed of neighborhoods, cities, and rental properties across California, including San Diego. LifeStyle Ratings are the best way to sort through finding a place to live - beyond price and floorplan. This takes in many factors including filtering automatically for proximity to parks, luxury housing options, transit availability, pet-friendly communities, places to raise kids, walking, and biking. Use Lifestyle Search in the site filter options on this page - and find your Perfect place!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Core-columbia Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Core-columbia?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Core-columbia is under $1,500.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Core-columbia?

The cheapest apartment in Core-columbia is 2140-2144 1st Ave which is listed at $1,995, while the average apartment in Core-columbia costs $5,510.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Core-columbia?

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 146 regular apartments in Core-columbia 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 Core-columbia?

Cheap apartments in Core-columbia have an average cost of $352 which is $5,158 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Core-columbia.

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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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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