Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Hillcrest Neighborhood of San Diego, CA from $900 (73 Rentals)

How Many Bedrooms?Done
Select your price rangeDone
to
Note: Properties with the Total Monthly Price badge include all required fees. Hover over the badge for details.
Lifestyle Matching SearchDone
Learn more about Lifestyle Search
By AmenitiesDone
By Community TypeDone
Features and AvailabilityDone
Done

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

close
View Me
Park Diplomat
Rent Specials
$2,029 - $3,854
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,029 - $3,854
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Jul 24

Park Diplomat

1707 Essex StSan Diego, CA 92103
Affordability
  • Verified
  • 3D Tour
  • Smoke Free

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.

Read Article
close
View Me
The Warwick
Rent Specials
$2,104 - $2,799
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,104 - $2,799
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Aug 7

The Warwick

606 Washington StSan Diego, CA 92103
Eco-Friendly
  • Verified
  • 3D Tour
  • Smoke Free
property at 1464 Essex St

$2,195

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,195
Total Monthly Price
$2,195

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Now

1464 Essex St, Unit 7

1464 Essex St
San DiegoCA92103

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.

Read Article
close
View Me
Rowyn
Rent Specials
$2,305 - $5,026
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,305 - $5,026
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Rowyn

3775 Sixth AveSan Diego, CA 92103
Affordability
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour
close
View Me
MoDE
Rent Specials
$2,391 - $3,494
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,391 - $3,494
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

MoDE

635 Robinson AveSan Diego, CA 92103
Eco-Friendly
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour
close
View Me
Villa Pacifica
$2,399 - $2,403
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,399 - $2,403
Total Monthly Price
Varies
1 Bedroom Apartments Available Aug 7

Villa Pacifica

3630 6th AveSan Diego, CA 92103
Senior Living
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour

San Diego's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about San Diego and the best places to live with original content written by our , Local Expert Hayden Goldberg

Read Article
close
View Me
Denizen
Rent Specials
$2,606 - $4,855
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,606 - $4,855
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Denizen

3840 6th AveSan Diego, CA 92103
Affordability
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour
close
View Me
3970 Goldfinch St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

3970 Goldfinch St

3970 Goldfinch StSan Diego, CA 92103
close
View Me
Indiana Palms
1 Bedroom Apartments

Indiana Palms

3621 Indiana StSan Diego, CA 92103
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
630 W Washington St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

630 W Washington St

630 W Washington StSan Diego, CA 92103
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
4077 Goldfinch St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

4077 Goldfinch St

4077 Goldfinch StSan Diego, CA 92103
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
4030 Front St
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

4030 Front St

4030 Front StSan Diego, CA 92103
close
View Me
Sapphire Apartments
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Sapphire Apartments

1440 Lincoln AveSan Diego, CA 92103
close
View Me
Santa Fe Villas
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Santa Fe Villas

3912 Albatross StSan Diego, CA 92103
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included

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.

Read Article
close
View Me
Washington Crossing
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Washington Crossing

1445 Washington StSan Diego, CA 92103
close
View Me
Nightingale Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Nightingale Apartments

4174 Third AveSan Diego, CA 92103
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
Studios on 6th
Studio Apartments

Studios on 6th

3560 6th AveSan Diego, CA 92103
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
8th and U
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

8th and U

3843 8th AveSan Diego, CA 92103
close
View Me
3939 7th Ave
Studio Apartments

3939 7th Ave

3939 7th AveSan Diego, CA 92103
close
View Me
4533 North Ave
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

4533 North Ave

4533 North AveSan Diego, CA 92116
close
View Me
1021 Hayes Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

1021 Hayes Ave

1021 Hayes AveSan Diego, CA 92103
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
Park East Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Park East Apartments

111 W Pennsylvania AveSan Diego, CA 92103

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.

Read Article
Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 2

Hillcrest, San Diego, CA Local Guide

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 $995. The Marquis has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,550. Here are the most affordable Hillcrest apartments for rent in San Diego, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
3942 8th AveStudioStudio,$995
The MarquisStudio 1Studio,1BA$1,550
Sapphire Apartments0 Beds, 1 BathsStudio,1BA$1,595
1520 Tyler HouseStudio - 203Studio,1BA$1,895
Harvey Hillcrest310/410Studio,1BA$1,900
Park View HillcrestStudioStudio,1BA$1,995
The Anderson — Where 1912 Meets Today1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1,995
3831-3835 Third Avenue1/11BR,1BA$2,195
4th Avenue ApartmentsLayout B1BR,1BA$2,195
Rainford ApartmentsS1.1Studio,1BA$2,225

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Hillcrest, CA

As of July 23, 2026 the best value apartment in the Hillcrest area is the $1.72 price per square foot Huge Loft Units Model at Lofts at 734 University Ave in the in the Balboa Park neighborhood starting from $3,100. The second greatest value Hillcrest apartment is the 406 Model at Eitol Towers starting at $3,995 with a $2.96 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 ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Lofts at 734 University AveHuge Loft UnitsStudio ,1BA$1.72
Eitol Towers4062BR,2.5BA$2.96
The Andorra2+2 corner2BR,2BA$3.10
4093 1st Ave2 Beds, 2 Baths2BR,2BA$3.18
1st & Penn Apts - 1penn2BR/2.0BA2BR,2BA$3.32
Mission Hills CommonsThe Crane1BR,1BA$3.40
Hillcrest Summit1+Den1BR,1BA$2.79
Sleepy Hollow Apartments4225 Building - 2 Bed / 1 Bath2BR,1BA$3.36
The Anderson — Where 1912 Meets Today1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$3.07
4th Avenue ApartmentsLayout B1BR,1BA$3.43

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 Article
Decorative image

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

Read Article
Decorative image

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.

Read Article
Decorative image

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.

decorative image of people with a giant lease agreement

Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Hillcrest, San Diego, CA

Ranked #22

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

decorative image of woman handing cat to small boy

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!

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 $2,225.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Hillcrest?

The cheapest apartment in Hillcrest is The Marquis which is listed at $1,850, while the average apartment in Hillcrest costs $6,106.

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 220 regular apartments in Hillcrest that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

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.

decorative image for Ditch the Freeway: San Diego's Best Renting Spots for a Shorter Commute article

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.

decorative image for Top 10 Most Affordable Neighborhoods in San Diego: A Local Real Estate Expert Guide article

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

decorative image for Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals article

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 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.

decorative image for Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention article

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.

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

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

Written by: Robin Stewart

Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.