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Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Hillcrest Neighborhood of San Diego, CA from $1,000 (24 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Hillcrest area of San Diego.
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from $1,598Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Hilltop Terrace
4166 4th AveSan Diego, CA 92103
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from $1,600Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
The Marquis at Hillcrest
1751 University AveSan Diego, CA 92103
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from $1,6951 Bedroom Apartment Available Now
1440 Lincoln Ave, Unit 25
1440 Lincoln AveSan Diego, CA 92103
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from $1,7501 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Hillcrest Regency 55+ Community
1050 Essex StSan Diego, CA 92103
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.
3650 Fourth Ave
San DiegoCA92103
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from $1,948Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
Hillcrest Place
3955 7th AveSan Diego, CA 92103
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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour
Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.
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Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs
Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.
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Showing Results 1-24, Page 1 of 1
Hillcrest, San Diego, CA Local Guide
Copyright CoStar Group, Inc
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Hillcrest?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillcrest Studio Apartments | $2,439 | $1,050 | $3,595 |
| Hillcrest 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,915 | $1,695 | $5,100 |
| Hillcrest 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,531 | $2,295 | $10,000+ |
| Hillcrest 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,600 | $3,000 | $3,950 |
| Hillcrest 4 Bedroom Apartments | $7,140 | $7,140 | $7,140 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 24 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Hillcrest Neighborhood of San Diego, CA.
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Hillcrest, San Diego, CA Local Guide
- Nearby San Diego neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Available Hillcrest Apartments for Rent
The cheapest available apartment rental in the Hillcrest area of San Diego, CA is a Studio unit found at 3942 8th Ave priced from $1,050. The Marquis at Hillcrest has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,600. Here are the most affordable Hillcrest apartments for rent in San Diego, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3942 8th Ave | Studio | Studio, | $1,050 |
| The Marquis at Hillcrest | The University | Studio,1BA | $1,600 |
| Studios on 6th | 3560 studios | Studio,1BA | $1,695 |
| Hillcrest Regency 55+ Community | 1 x 1 | 1BR,1BA | $1,750 |
| 4th Ave Apartments | Model B (Luxury Vinyl Flooring) | 1BR,1BA | $1,950 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Hillcrest, CA
As of June 22, 2025 the best value apartment in the Hillcrest area is the $2.27 price per square foot Huge Loft Units Model at Lofts at 734 University Ave in the in the Balboa Park neighborhood starting from $3,000. The second greatest value Hillcrest apartment is the LOFT PLAN 2 Model at Mission Hills Apartments starting at $3,595 with a $2.94 price per square foot in the Balboa Park neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Hillcrest apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lofts at 734 University Ave | Huge Loft Units | 1BR,1BA | $2.27 |
| Mission Hills Apartments | LOFT PLAN 2 | Studio ,1BA | $2.94 |
| 1718 Robinson Ave, Unit 1718 | 1718 Robinson Ave | 2BR,1BA | $2.85 |
| Park Diplomat | Two Bedrooms - One & Half Bathrooms | 2BR,1.5BA | $3.03 |
| Villa Marquette | 2BR/2.0BA | 2BR,2BA | $3.19 |
| Harvey Hillcrest | 616 | 1BR,1BA | $3.17 |
| 3966 Cleveland Ave, Unit #14 | 3966 Cleveland Ave | 2BR,1BA | $2.98 |
| 4th Ave Apartments | Model B (Luxury Vinyl Flooring) | 1BR,1BA | $3.05 |
| Hillcrest Regency 55+ Community | 1 x 1 | 1BR,1BA | $3.50 |
| 1440 Lincoln Ave, Unit 25 | 1440 Lincoln Ave | 1BR,1BA | $3.39 |
Quick Rent Budget Calculator
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Pet Friendly LifestyleHillcrest, San Diego, CA
Ranked #16
Among neighborhoods in San Diego, CA for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
4.0Pet Friendly
Lifestyle Ratings
ApartmentHomeLiving.com compares millions of points of data to bring you our detailed rental analysis called 'Lifestyle Ratings' - a comparison of rentals in cities and towns across the United States and customized analysis for Central San Diego, CA. Our Lifestyle Ratings help you zero-in on the perfect place to call home. This takes in many factors including our Star Ratings to compare for the best outdoor access, luxury amenities, places that make kids happy, raising pets, transit options, in addition to floorplans, availablity, and pricing. Use Lifestyle Search in the site filter options on this page - and find your Perfect place!
Getting Around the Hillcrest Neighborhood in San Diego, CA
Walk Score®
91 / 100
Walker’s Paradise
Daily errands do not require a car
Bike Score®
65 / 100
Bikeable
Some bike infrastructure
Transit Score®
52 / 100
Good Transit
Many nearby public transportation options
What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?
- Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
- Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
- Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Hillcrest Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Hillcrest?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Hillcrest is under $2,098.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Hillcrest?
The cheapest apartment in Hillcrest is Hillcrest Regency 55+ Community which is listed at $1,750, while the average apartment in Hillcrest costs $7,140.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Hillcrest?
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 1 regular apartments in Hillcrest that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.
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.
Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls
Written by: Cheryl Bowman
A fantastic way to save money and enjoy a built-in community is to share an apartment. However, a bad roommate situation can turn your dream rental into a nightmare.
The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour
Written by: Marie Brown
You’ve scrolled through countless listings, walked through a blur of rentals, and finally found what feels like the one. The pictures? Fantastic. The neighborhood seems just right.
Know Your Budget: Calculating What You Can Realistically Afford When Renting
Written by: Lauren Harrington
Renting an apartment or house isn’t just about looking through online ads, choosing a few apartments or homes you want to tour, filling out an application, and putting down a deposit. Those things are all necessary and important.