close
View Me
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown San Diego Neighborhood of San Diego, CA from $500 (54 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown San Diego area of San Diego.
close
View Me
$1,011 - $2,874Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Market Street Square
606 3rd AveSan Diego, CA 92101
close
View Me
close
View Me
$1,062 - $1,343Studio Apartments Available Now
Peachtree Inn - Fully furnished units!
901 F StSan Diego, CA 92101
close
View Me
$1,301Studio Apartments Contact Us For Availability
Harrington Heights - Affordable Housing
1320 BroadwaySan Diego, CA 92101
1499 J St
San DiegoCA92101
close
View Me
Rent Specials
$1,450 - $1,800Studio Apartments Available Now
Vantaggio Little Italy
1736 State StSan Diego, CA 92101
532 21st St
San DiegoCA92102
close
View Me
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.
close
View Me
close
View Me
$1,591 - $1,704Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Luther Tower - 55+ Affordable Community
1455 2nd AveSan Diego, CA 92101
close
View Me
$1,595Studio Apartments Contact Us For Availability
Windsor Apartments
1808 3rd AveSan Diego, CA 92101
205 Hensley St
San DiegoCA92102
2418 E St
San DiegoCA92102
close
View Me
$1,602 - $3,200Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Horton 4th Avenue
808 4th AveSan Diego, CA 92101
close
View Me
Rent Specials
$1,650Studio Apartments Available Now
The Helm - Affordable Housing
191 W Beech StSan Diego, CA 92101
close
View Me
$1,675 - $2,7951 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Redwood Terrace
225 Redwood StSan Diego, CA 92103
close
View Me
$1,695 - $2,035Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Contact Us For Availability
2551 Commercial St
2551 Commercial StSan Diego, CA 92113
2611 Logan Ave
San DiegoCA92113
207 Hensley St
San DiegoCA92102
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.
close
View Me
Rent Specials
$1,795 - $1,995Studio Apartments Available Now
Studios435: Furnished Studios
435 13th StSan Diego, CA 92101
close
View Me
Rent Specials
$1,795 - $2,495Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
900 F Street
900 F StSan Diego, CA 92101
close
View Me
Rent Specials
$1,799 - $2,528Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Market Street Village
699 14th StSan Diego, CA 92101
1932 Kearney Ave
San DiegoCA92113
2722 Reynard Way
San DiegoCA92103
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
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.
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
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.
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
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.
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
Downtown San Diego, San Diego, CA Local Guide
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Downtown San Diego?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown San Diego Studio Apartments | $2,422 | $974 | $9,981 |
| Downtown San Diego 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,279 | $1,011 | $10,000+ |
| Downtown San Diego 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,819 | $1,895 | $10,000+ |
| Downtown San Diego 3 Bedroom Apartments | $6,478 | $3,355 | $10,000+ |
| Downtown San Diego 4 Bedroom Apartments | $10,392 | $10,000 | $10,000+ |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 54 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown San Diego Neighborhood of San Diego, CA.
See all Apartments in San DiegoExplore San Diego
Downtown San Diego, San Diego, CA Local Guide
- Nearby San Diego neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
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 Trolley Court priced from $974. Studio 15 has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,050. Here are the most affordable Downtown San Diego apartments for rent in San Diego, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trolley Court | Standard | Studio, | $974 |
| Studio 15 | Studios - 50% AMI - Utilities included | Studio,1BA | $1,050 |
| Peachtree Inn - Fully furnished units! | Standard | Studio,1BA | $1,062 |
| Vantaggio Little Italy | Small full size bed | Studio,1BA | $1,450 |
| Island Flats | Small Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,500 |
| WLA Windsor | 0BR/1.0BA | Studio,1BA | $1,500 |
| WLA 509 Park | 0BR/1.0BA | Studio,1BA | $1,550 |
| Luther Tower - 55+ Affordable Community | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,591 |
| Horton 4th Avenue | Studios | Studio,1BA | $1,602 |
| The Helm - Affordable Housing | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,650 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown San Diego, CA
As of October 01, 2025 the best value apartment in the Downtown San Diego area is the $3.20 price per square foot 2BR/2.0BA Model at Juniper in the in the Balboa Park neighborhood starting from $3,295. The second greatest value Downtown San Diego apartment is the One Bedroom One Bath Model at Viridian Lofts starting at $2,495 with a $2.79 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 Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juniper | 2BR/2.0BA | 2BR,2BA | $3.20 |
| Viridian Lofts | One Bedroom One Bath | 1BR,1BA | $2.79 |
| 600 Front Apartments | 2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath | 2BR,1.5BA | $3.13 |
| Horton 4th Avenue | 1BD | 1BR,1BA | $2.61 |
| Yale Lofts | 789 11th Avenue | 2BR,1BA | $2.32 |
| Arrive Broadway Lofts | Horton Studio | Studio ,1BA | $3.12 |
| Vera Cortez Hill | A1 (Premium) | 1BR,1BA | $2.97 |
| Where Convenience meets Comfort at the Leo | One Bedroom One Bath | 1BR,1BA | $2.67 |
| 1752 National Ave, Unit 1 | 1752 National Ave | 1BR,1BA | $2.85 |
| 3434 Reynard Way, Unit Josie | 3434 Reynard Way | 1BR,1BA | $2.89 |
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.
Let everyone know!
Do you know the Downtown San Diego area?
If you’re an expert on all things Downtown San Diego, tell us what you love (and don't) by rating it and writing a review.
Write a Review
Pet Friendly LifestyleDowntown San Diego, San Diego, CA
Ranked #4
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
4.0Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Downtown San Diego, San Diego, CA
San Diego International Studies
San Diego Unified School District
Public School - Grades 9-12 (1181)
9 out of 10
Roosevelt International Middle
San Diego Unified School District
Public School - Grades 6-8 (761)
5 out of 10
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 $1,650.
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 $1,675, while the average apartment in Downtown San Diego costs $10,392.
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 25 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 $134 which is $10,258 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown San Diego.
Expert Rental Resources
Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips
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.
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.
A Phoenix Experts Relocation Guide: Best Neighborhoods to Rent Near Banner, ASU, & Amazon
Written by: Andrew Jollett
Phoenix has long been one of the fastest-growing metros in the United States. When I think about how much I’ve seen it change over the years, it’s no wonder so many young professionals flock to the area every year.
Kansas Citys Major Employers & the Best Places to Rent Near Them | A Local Expert Guide
Written by: Amber Kanuckel
Hey, there! I’m Amber, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for Kansas City, and I’m back with my recommendations for top employers in the area.
How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Everything is a negotiation in real estate!