Cheap Apartments for Rent in the University City Neighborhood of San Diego, CA from $1,600 (50 Rentals)

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

property at 4419 Via Amable

$956

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Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$956

Total Monthly Price
$956

4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath Townhome for Rent

Available Jul 1

4419 Via Amable

San DiegoCA92122
property at 3989 Nobel Dr

$1,995 - $2,050

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Total Monthly Price

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$1,995 - $2,050

Total Monthly Price
$1,995 - $2,050

1 To 2 Bedroom Condos for Rent

Available Aug 15

3989 Nobel Dr

San DiegoCA92122
property at 3969 Nobel Dr

$1,995 - $2,995

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$1,995 - $2,995

Total Monthly Price
$1,995 - $2,995

1 To 2 Bedroom Condos for Rent

Available Jun 30

3969 Nobel Dr

San DiegoCA92122
property at 6933 Enders Avenue

$2,000

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Total Monthly Price

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$2,000

Total Monthly Price
$2,000

Studio, 0.5 Bath Home for Rent

Available Now

6933 Enders Avenue

San DiegoCA92122
property at 3965 Nobel Dr

$2,050 - $2,095

Total Monthly Price

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Base Rent
$2,050 - $2,095

Total Monthly Price
$2,050 - $2,095

1 To 2 Bedroom Condos for Rent

Available Now

3965 Nobel Dr

San DiegoCA92122
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Canyon Park
$2,219 - $3,954
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Total Monthly Price

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$2,219 - $3,954

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Varies
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Canyon Park

9555 Genesee AveSan Diego, CA 92121
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property at 3937 Nobel Dr

$2,400

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Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,400

Total Monthly Price
$2,400

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Now

3937 Nobel Dr, Unit 133

3937 Nobel Dr
San DiegoCA92122

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

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property at 7425 Charmant Dr

$2,600

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Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,600

Total Monthly Price
$2,600

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Jul 28

7425 Charmant Dr, Unit 2814

7425 Charmant Dr
San DiegoCA92122
property at 3927 Nobel Dr

$2,600

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Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,600

Total Monthly Price
$2,600

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Oct 1

3927 Nobel Dr, Unit 70

3927 Nobel Dr
San DiegoCA92122
property at 3520 Lebon Dr

$2,798

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Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,798

Total Monthly Price
$2,798

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Aug 30

3520 Lebon Dr

San DiegoCA92122

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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Allina La Jolla
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Allina La Jolla

3417 Lebon DrSan Diego, CA 92122

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property at 3550 Lebon Dr

$2,500 - $3,225

1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

3550 Lebon Dr

San DiegoCA92122

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.

University City, San Diego, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available University City Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the University City area of San Diego, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Mirada at La Jolla Colony Apartments priced from $2,200. Canyon Park has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $2,219. Here are the most affordable University City apartments for rent in San Diego, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Mirada at La Jolla Colony ApartmentsMadrid (Bond)1BR,1BA$2,200
Canyon ParkStudioStudio,1BA$2,219
Allina La Jolla1 Bed, 1 Bath1BR,1BA$2,234
Pacific Gardens Genesee1 Bedroom / 1 Bath1BR,1BA$2,345
Veranda La Jolla1X11BR,1BA$2,355
Town Park VillasCedar Grove1BR,1BA$2,598
La Jolla Nobel1 Bed 1 Bath B (4249)1BR,1BA$2,605
La Jolla Crossroads ApartmentsPanzanoStudio,1BA$2,625
Nobel Court1 BR 1 BA Reno1BR,1BA$2,671
La Jolla Blue Apartments1Bed 1 Bath 687sf1BR,1BA$2,714

Best Value Apartments for Rent in University City, CA

As of June 22, 2026 the best value apartment in the University City area is the $3.64 price per square foot 2B-5 Model at The Jewel at LUX in the in the Torrey Pines neighborhood starting from $6,785. The second greatest value University City apartment is the Sicily Salita Model at Avia La Jolla starting at $3,698 with a $3.66 price per square foot in the University City neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for University City apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
The Jewel at LUX2B-52BR,2BA$3.64
Avia La JollaSicily Salita2BR,2BA$3.66
La Jolla Park EastLa Jolla Park East - Rovated Available 7-15-22BR,2BA$3.66
La Regencia ApartmentsPinnacle1BR,1BA$3.19
360 Luxury ApartmentsEscape1BR,1BA$3.73
Costa Verde Village ApartmentsPinnacle1BR,1BA$3.23
La Jolla PaseoAvalon1BR,1BA$3.53
Allina La Jolla1 Bed, 1 Bath1BR,1BA$3.43
Pacific Gardens Genesee1 Bedroom / 1 Bath1BR,1BA$3.61
Veranda La Jolla1X11BR,1BA$3.68

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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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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Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving.com is proud to bring you our detailed rental search system called 'Lifestyle ratings', composed of rentals in areas across the United States including University City, San Diego, and the greater San Diego area. 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 outdoor amenities like tennis courts, luxury amenities, pet-friendly features, places that make kids happy, proximity to transit, and how walkable or bikeable each community and area is. Find Lifestyle Search in the filter options (above). Happy Searching!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap University City Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in University City?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in University City is under $2,714.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in University City?

The cheapest apartment in University City is Mirada at La Jolla Colony Apartments which is listed at $2,200, while the average apartment in University City costs $4,935.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in University City?

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 15 regular apartments in University City 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.

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