Cheap 1 Bedroom Apartments for Rent in the Downtown San Diego Neighborhood of San Diego, CA from $1,325 (105 Rentals)

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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.

property at 2651 A St
$1,995
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent
Available Oct 1
Affordability

2651 A St

San DiegoCA92102
  • Smoke Free
property at 2770 Island Ave
$2,095
1 Bedroom Rentals
Available Dec 8
Affordability

2770 Island Ave

San DiegoCA92102
property at 2766 Island Ave
$2,095
1 Bedroom Rentals
Available Nov 1
Affordability

2766 Island Ave

San DiegoCA92102

Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts—Oh My!

Looking for the perfect rental? From apartments and condos to lofts and single family rentals, explore the unique pros and cons of each rental type to help you land in your perfect new place.

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City View
Rent Specials
$2,160 - $2,310

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$2,165 - $2,856

Total Monthly PriceVaries
1 Bedroom Apartments Available Oct 2

City View

840 17th StSan Diego, CA 92101
Outdoors
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  • Customer Reviewed
  • Utilities Included

Downtown San Diego - One of the Best Affordable Neighborhoods in San Diego

Named as one of the Best Affordable Neighborhoods to rent in San Diego by our , Local Expert Hayden Goldberg. See how it ranks!

property at 1225 Island Ave
$2,400

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$2,400

Total Monthly Price$2,400
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo for Rent
Available Now
Affordability

1225 Island Ave, Unit 510

1225 Island Ave
San DiegoCA92101
  • Smoke Free
property at 1941 Columbia St
$2,450 - $4,350
1 Bedroom Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

1941 Columbia St

San DiegoCA92101

Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags

Looking for the perfect new rental? Learn great ways to spot the perfect apartment for you, identify common red flags, and avoid rental issues and scams with these expert provided actionable tips.

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Tenth&G
Rent Specials
$2,472 - $2,527

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$2,164 - $3,527

Total Monthly PriceVaries
1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Tenth&G

707 10th AveSan Diego, CA 92101
Affordability
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour
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Elan Luxo II
Rent Specials
$2,494 - $3,225

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$2,494 - $4,575

Total Monthly Price$2,494 - $4,575
1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Elan Luxo II

1907 Columbia StSan Diego, CA 92101
Affordability
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour
property at 875 G St
$2,495

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$2,495

Total Monthly Price$2,495
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo for Rent
Available Now
Affordability

875 G St, Unit 508

875 G St
San DiegoCA92101
  • Smoke Free
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1985 National Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

1985 National Ave

1985 National AveSan Diego, CA 92113
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Kettner Crossing Phase 1
1 Bedroom Apartments

Kettner Crossing Phase 1

1590 Kettner BlvdSan Diego, CA 92101
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included
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Cedar Gateway
1 Bedroom Apartments

Cedar Gateway

550 Cedar StSan Diego, CA 92101
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563 22nd St
1 Bedroom Apartments

563 22nd St

563 22nd StSan Diego, CA 92102
  • Utilities Included
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Fifth & Olive
1 Bedroom Apartments

Fifth & Olive

430-468 Olive StSan Diego, CA 92103

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.

Downtown San Diego, 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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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

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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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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Downtown San Diego, San Diego, CA

Ranked #3

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

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown San Diego Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown San Diego?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown San Diego is under $1,475.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown San Diego?

The cheapest apartment in Downtown San Diego is Tenth Avenue which is listed at $1,400, while the average apartment in Downtown San Diego costs $3,510.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown 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 294 regular apartments in Downtown 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 Downtown San Diego?

Cheap apartments in Downtown San Diego have an average cost of $796 which is $2,714 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown 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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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.

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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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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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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.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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How Commercial-to-Residential Property Conversions Help the Housing Crisis

Written by: Robin Stewart

Many housing markets throughout America share a common complaint: a lack of affordable rental properties.

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Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My!

Written by: Robin Stewart

Where do you see yourself? When you think of home, sweet home, are you in a 3/2 apartment? Dreaming of a tall townhome? Maybe an industrial loft heavy on cool vibes is on your visioning board.

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Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags

Written by: Robin Stewart

Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

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First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently

Written by: Robin Stewart

Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.