Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Core-columbia Neighborhood of San Diego, CA from $500 (115 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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Entrada
Rent Specials
$1,782 - $3,647
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$1,782 - $3,647
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Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Entrada

453 13th StSan Diego, CA 92101
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  • 3D Tour

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

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City View
Rent Specials
$1,966 - $2,808
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$1,966 - $2,808
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1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

City View

840 17th StSan Diego, CA 92101
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property at 253 10th Ave

$2,000

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Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,000
Total Monthly Price
$2,000

Studio, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Now

253 10th Ave, Unit 628, Unit 628

253 10th Ave
San DiegoCA92101

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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Tenth&G
$2,080 - $3,450
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$2,080 - $3,450
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Tenth&G

707 10th AveSan Diego, CA 92101
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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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property at 1435 India St

$2,200

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,200
Total Monthly Price
$2,200

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

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1435 India St, Unit 516, Unit 516

1435 India St
San DiegoCA92101
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625 Broadway
Rent Specials
$2,221 - $4,499
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$2,221 - $4,499
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

625 Broadway

625 BroadwaySan Diego, CA 92101
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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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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
Villa De Oro ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,400
Vantaggio Little ItalySmall full size bedStudio,1BA$1,450
Island FlatsSmall StudioStudio,1BA$1,500
WLA 509 Park0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,500

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Core-columbia, CA

As of April 13, 2026 the best value apartment in the Core-columbia area is the $2.52 price per square foot 2427 3rd Ave Model at 2427 3rd Ave, Unit 2427 in the in the Balboa Park neighborhood starting from $3,975. The second greatest value Core-columbia apartment is the One Bedroom One Bath Model at Viridian Lofts starting at $2,625 with a $1.77 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.
2427 3rd Ave, Unit 24272427 3rd Ave2BR,2BA$2.52
Viridian LoftsOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,1BA$1.77
GEMAB32BR,2.5BA$3.09
Villa Maria ApartmentsThree Bedroom in Little Italy/San Diego3BR,2.5BA$3.00
Cornerstone Lofts1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$2.40
Pioneer – Lofts (PIOLOF)Lofts1BR,1BA$2.67
MBS StudiosStudioStudio ,1BA$1.56
Pacific Vu ApartmentsOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$2.38
Villa De Oro ApartmentsStudioStudio ,1BA$2.33
Greystone LoftsStudioStudio ,1BA$3.21

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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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 Luther Tower - 55+ Affordable Community which is listed at $1,860, while the average apartment in Core-columbia costs $5,380.

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 54 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 $194 which is $5,186 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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Your Guide to Picking the Perfect San Diego Neighborhood for Student Renters

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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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