Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown San Diego Neighborhood of San Diego, CA from $597 (173 Rentals)

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

property at 444 G St

$875 - $1,195

Studio Rentals

Available Now

444 G St

San DiegoCA92101

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Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

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2754 A St, Unit ADU/Studio
$1,700
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,700
Total Monthly Price
$1,700
Studio Apartment Available Sep 1

2754 A St, Unit ADU/Studio

2754 A StSan Diego, CA 92102
Affordability
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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!

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2658 E St, Unit 2658.5
$1,850
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,850
Total Monthly Price
$1,850
Studio Apartment Available Sep 4

2658 E St, Unit 2658.5

2658 E StSan Diego, CA 92102
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Entrada
Rent Specials
$1,897 - $2,132
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,897 - $2,132
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Entrada

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

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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420 S Evans St, Unit Evans
$1,950
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,950
Total Monthly Price
$1,950
2 Bedroom Apartment Available Sep 25

420 S Evans St, Unit Evans

420 S Evans StSan Diego, CA 92113
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Tenth&G
Rent Specials
$1,987 - $3,400
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,987 - $3,400
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Tenth&G

707 10th AveSan Diego, CA 92101
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property at 1643 6th Ave

$1,989

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,989
Total Monthly Price
$1,989

Studio, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Now

1643 6th Ave, Unit 414

1643 6th Ave
San DiegoCA92101

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

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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
Mondrian StudiosStudios - 50% AMI - Utilities includedStudio,1BA$1,050
Peachtree Inn - Fully furnished units!StandardStudio,1BA$1,062
Mitchell Apartments0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,200
Island Village ApartmentsStudio ALL UTILITIES IncludedStudio,1BA$1,300
WLA Windsor0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,395
Tenth Avenue1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1,400
MBS StudiosStudioStudio,1BA$1,400
Vantaggio Little ItalySmall full size bedStudio,1BA$1,450

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown San Diego, CA

As of August 24, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown San Diego area is the $2.47 price per square foot 2 Story Loft Model at Horton 4th Avenue in the in the Balboa Park neighborhood starting from $2,800. The second greatest value Downtown San Diego apartment is the Lofts Model at Pioneer – Lofts (PIOLOF) starting at $2,495 with a $2.37 price per square foot in the Horton Plaza 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.
Horton 4th Avenue2 Story LoftStudio ,1BA$2.47
Pioneer – Lofts (PIOLOF)Lofts1BR,1BA$2.37
13th & MarketOne Bedroom A1E1BR,1BA$2.60
Palm Terrace Apartments2BR/1BA2BR,1BA$2.78
MBS StudiosStudioStudio ,1BA$1.56
Arrive Broadway LoftsCity StudioStudio ,1BA$2.83
1742 Kearney Ave2 Beds, 1 Baths2BR,1BA$2.79
India and Kettner Street2BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$3.06
Atmosphere Apartments1 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$3.06
The LeoStudioStudio ,1BA$2.66

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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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 $1,450.

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 $3,519.

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 312 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 $914 which is $2,605 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

decorative image for Moving to North County San Diego: Costs, Commutes, and Culture article

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.

decorative image for Your Guide to Picking the Perfect San Diego Neighborhood for Student Renters article

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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Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Written by: Robin Stewart

The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

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

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.

decorative image for First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently article

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.

decorative image for Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It article

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

Written by: Robin Stewart

Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.