Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown San Diego Neighborhood of San Diego, CA from $500 (153 Rentals)

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

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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
$1,757 - $3,647
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,757 - $3,647
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Entrada

453 13th StSan Diego, CA 92101
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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

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property at 253 10th Ave

$1,950

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,950
Total Monthly Price
$1,950

Studio, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available May 29

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
Rent Specials
$2,013 - $3,237
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Total Monthly Price

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$2,013 - $3,237
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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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Downtown San Diego, San Diego, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown San Diego Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown San Diego 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 Downtown San Diego 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
WLA 509 Park0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,400
MBS StudiosStudioStudio,1BA$1,400
Vantaggio Little ItalySmall full size bedStudio,1BA$1,450
Luther Tower - 55+ Affordable CommunityStudioStudio,1BA$1,475
Island FlatsSmall StudioStudio,1BA$1,500

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown San Diego, CA

As of May 19, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown San Diego area is the $1.38 price per square foot 250 B Ave Model at 250 B Ave, Unit 250 in the in the Downtown San Diego neighborhood starting from $1,650. The second greatest value Downtown San Diego apartment is the One Bedroom One Bath Model at Viridian Lofts starting at $2,524 with a $2.17 price per square foot in the Balboa Park neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown San Diego apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
250 B Ave, Unit 250250 B Ave1BR,1BA$1.38
Viridian LoftsOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,1BA$2.17
Pioneer – Lofts (PIOLOF)Lofts1BR,1BA$2.25
F11 East Village2J-12BR,2BA$3.19
Idea1 ApartmentsB012BR,1BA$3.09
Villa Maria ApartmentsTwo Bedroom in Little Italy / San Diego2BR,1.5BA$3.12
MBS StudiosStudioStudio ,1BA$1.56
GEMAA21BR,1BA$3.15
Koll CenterLarge 1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$3.00
Villa De Oro Apartments1 bedroom1BR,1BA$2.90

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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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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Best Local Schools in
Downtown San Diego, San Diego, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you our detailed rental analysis called 'Lifestyle Ratings' - a comparison of rentals in cities across the United States including Downtown San Diego, 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 our Star Ratings to compare for the best outdoor access, luxury amenities, transit availability, pet-friendly communities, family-friendliness, walking, and biking. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.

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 $1,500.

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

The cheapest apartment in Downtown San Diego is Redwood Terrace which is listed at $1,595, while the average apartment in Downtown San Diego costs $5,397.

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 66 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 $156 which is $5,241 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.

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