
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Serra Mesa Neighborhood of San Diego, CA from $1,200 (17 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Serra Mesa area of San Diego.


The Outlook at Mission Valley Apartments

Elan Sandrock Place

Gramercy Apartments

The Modern Apartments
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3550 Ruffin Rd

Monte Vista Apartment Homes

ReNew Serra Mesa
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5966 Rancho Mission Rd, Unit 224

3549 Castle Glen Dr
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3348 Lockwood Dr
Serra Mesa, San Diego, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Serra Mesa?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serra Mesa Studio Apartments | $2,935 | $2,915 | $2,955 |
| Serra Mesa 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,358 | $1,995 | $4,430 |
| Serra Mesa 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,010 | $2,339 | $6,151 |
| Serra Mesa 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,852 | $2,822 | $6,593 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 17 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Serra Mesa Neighborhood of San Diego, CA.
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Cheapest Available Serra Mesa Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Serra Mesa area of San Diego, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at The Outlook at Mission Valley Apartments priced from $1,995. Elan Sandrock Place has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,095. Here are the most affordable Serra Mesa apartments for rent in San Diego, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Outlook at Mission Valley Apartments | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $1,995 |
| Elan Sandrock Place | 1/1 - 600 sq/ft | 1BR,1BA | $2,095 |
| Gramercy Apartments | 1Bed 1Bath | 1BR,1BA | $2,209 |
| eaves Mission Ridge | A1-500sf-balc | 1BR,1BA | $2,290 |
| Monte Vista Apartment Homes | Plan 2 | 1BR,1BA | $2,325 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Serra Mesa, CA
As of December 17, 2025 the best value apartment in the Serra Mesa area is the $3.28 price per square foot Lago Loft Model at Mira Bella Apartments in the in the Clairemont Mesa East neighborhood starting from $4,130. The second greatest value Serra Mesa apartment is the Three Bedroom Model at The Modern Apartments starting at $2,822 with a $2.51 price per square foot in the Clairemont neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Serra Mesa apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mira Bella Apartments | Lago Loft | 2BR,2BA | $3.28 |
| The Modern Apartments | Three Bedroom | 3BR,1.5BA | $2.51 |
| IMT Mission Valley | B3 | 2BR,2BA | $2.78 |
| Gramercy Apartments | 2Bed 2Bath | 2BR,2BA | $3.31 |
| Olympus Corsair | A2 | 1BR,1BA | $3.79 |
| Dezi | 1B-1 | 1BR,1BA | $3.73 |
| Monte Vista Apartment Homes | Plan 2 | 1BR,1BA | $3.27 |
| ReNew Serra Mesa | Arbor | 1BR,1BA | $3.39 |
| The Outlook at Mission Valley Apartments | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $3.07 |
| Elan Sandrock Place | 1/1 - 600 sq/ft | 1BR,1BA | $3.49 |
Getting Around the Serra Mesa Neighborhood in San Diego, CA
Walk Score®
55 / 100
Somewhat Walkable
Some errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
48 / 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Minimal bike infrastructure
Transit Score®
31 / 100
Some Transit
A few 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 Serra Mesa Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Serra Mesa?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Serra Mesa is under $2,822.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Serra Mesa?
The cheapest apartment in Serra Mesa is The Outlook at Mission Valley Apartments which is listed at $1,995, while the average apartment in Serra Mesa costs $7,915.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Serra Mesa?
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 142 regular apartments in Serra Mesa 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 Serra Mesa?
Cheap apartments in Serra Mesa have an average cost of $2,681 which is $5,234 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Serra Mesa.
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.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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.

Renting with Roommates: Realistic Expectations for Shared Lease
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Given the high costs for housing, I have found that many people are looking for a roommate to share expenses. These arrangements can increase opportunities for more desirable and larger spaces.

Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Back in the day when I rented one of my first apartments, the property didn’t even have laundry in the building. Now, rental properties are often competing against each other to provide the best amenities.

How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Everything is a negotiation in real estate!





