
Cheap Homes for Rent in the Downtown San Diego Neighborhood of San Diego, CA from $1,600 (31 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Homes available for rent right now in the Downtown San Diego area of San Diego.


2578 L St

2261 4th Ave

206 Fir St

2140 B St

2268 Market St

1080 Park Blvd
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.

1643 6th Ave, Unit 518

1643 6th Ave, Unit 414

1742 Kearney Ave

445 Island Ave

2142 First Ave.

2311 National

777 Sixth Ave
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.

777 Sixth Ave, Unit 421

525 11th Ave

1225 Island Ave

2870 Fourth Ave

1551 4th Ave, Unit 712

2907 Union St

321 10th Ave
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!

875 G St, Unit 513

850 State St

988 G St

889 Date St, Unit 143

1501 Front St

206 Park Blvd, Unit 201

1435 India St
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.

1169 20th St, Unit 1169

1025 Island Ave, Unit #406

1050 Island Ave
Downtown San Diego, San Diego, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent a home in Downtown San Diego?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown San Diego 2 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $4,904 | $2,095 | $10,000+ |
| Downtown San Diego 3 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $7,548 | $2,995 | $10,000+ |
| Downtown San Diego 4 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $13,482 | $6,795 | $10,000+ |
| Downtown San Diego 5 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $7,200 | $6,200 | $8,200 |
| Downtown San Diego 6 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $11,297 | $7,595 | $10,000+ |
| Downtown San Diego 7 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $20,000 | $10,000 | $10,000+ |
Browse Homes for Rent in this Neighborhood
There are currently 31 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown San Diego Neighborhood of San Diego, CA.
Explore 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 800 Broadway priced from $349. Arlington Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $900. Here are the most affordable Downtown San Diego apartments for rent in San Diego, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 800 Broadway | SAR | Studio,1BA | $349 |
| Arlington Apartments | Single Room Occupant | Studio, | $900 |
| 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 |
| Atmosphere Apartments | 2 Beds, 1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $1,063 |
| Island Village Apartments | Studio ALL UTILITIES Included | Studio,1BA | $1,300 |
| MBS Studios | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,400 |
| Vantaggio Little Italy | Small full size bed | Studio,1BA | $1,450 |
| WLA Windsor | 0BR/1.0BA | Studio,1BA | $1,450 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown San Diego, CA
As of July 31, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown San Diego area is the $3.09 price per square foot B8 Model at Tenth&G in the in the Balboa Park neighborhood starting from $3,114. The second greatest value Downtown San Diego apartment is the Two Bdroom B2A Model at 13th & Market starting at $2,802 with a $2.81 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. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenth&G | B8 | 2BR,2BA | $3.09 |
| 13th & Market | Two Bdroom B2A | 2BR,2BA | $2.81 |
| Pioneer – Lofts (PIOLOF) | Lofts | 1BR,1BA | $2.78 |
| MBS Studios | Studio | Studio ,1BA | $1.56 |
| 1742 Kearney Ave | 2 Beds, 1 Baths | 2BR,1BA | $2.93 |
| 2140-2144 1st Ave | 1 Beds, 1 Baths | 1BR,1BA | $2.66 |
| Koll Center | Large 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $2.83 |
| Atmosphere Apartments | 1 Bed, 1 bath | 1BR,1BA | $2.89 |
| The Leo | Studio | Studio ,1BA | $2.66 |
| Horton 4th Avenue | Studios | Studio ,1BA | $2.95 |
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.
Read ArticleThe 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
Read ArticleReal 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.
Read ArticleQuick 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.
Pet Friendly LifestyleDowntown San Diego, San Diego, CA
Ranked #3
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
Roosevelt International Middle
School data provided by Great Schools
Frequently Asked Questions about Downtown San Diego
What type of rentals are currently available in Downtown San Diego?
There are currently 1109 Apartments for Rent in Downtown San Diego, CA with pricing that ranges from $900 to $29,152. There are also 158 Single Family Homes for rent, Condos, and Townhome rentals currently available in Downtown San Diego ranging from $1,600 to $30,000.
What is the current price range for Rental Homes in Downtown San Diego?
Today's rental pricing for Homes for Rent, Condos and Townhomes in Downtown San Diego ranges from $1,600 to $30,000 with an average monthly rent of $8,712.
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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention
Written by: Robin Stewart
There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.