Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown San Diego Neighborhood of San Diego, CA from $500 (183 Rentals)

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

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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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Entrada
$1,907 - $2,132
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Total Monthly Price

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$1,907 - $2,132
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Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Entrada

453 13th StSan Diego, CA 92101
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Tenth&G
Rent Specials
$1,946 - $3,137
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$1,946 - $3,137
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Tenth&G

707 10th AveSan Diego, CA 92101
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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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K1 Apartments
Rent Specials
$2,069 - $5,521
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$2,069 - $5,521
Total Monthly Price
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Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

K1 Apartments

330 13th StSan Diego, CA 92101
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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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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
MBS StudiosStudioStudio,1BA$1,400
Vantaggio Little ItalySmall full size bedStudio,1BA$1,450
Luther Tower - 55+ Affordable CommunityStudioStudio,1BA$1,475
WLA Windsor0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,495
Island FlatsSmall StudioStudio,1BA$1,500

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown San Diego, CA

As of July 08, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown San Diego area is the $2.29 price per square foot 2 Beds, 1.5 Baths Model at Fifth & Olive in the in the Balboa Park neighborhood starting from $3,200. The second greatest value Downtown San Diego apartment is the Plan 3A Model at Form 15 starting at $3,667 with a $2.75 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.
Fifth & Olive2 Beds, 1.5 Baths2BR,1.5BA$2.29
Form 15Plan 3A3BR,2BA$2.75
13th & MarketTwo Bedroom B2E2BR,2BA$3.04
1150 J St, Unit 2171150 J St2BR,2BA$2.86
Pioneer – Lofts (PIOLOF)Lofts1BR,1BA$2.77
MBS StudiosStudioStudio ,1BA$1.56
Horton 4th Avenue1BD1BR,1BA$2.82
2140-2144 1st Ave1 Beds, 1 Baths1BR,1BA$2.66
Vera Cortez HillA1 (Premium)1BR,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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Quick Rent Budget Calculator

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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 $9,506.

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 150 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 $312 which is $9,194 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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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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