Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Central Waterfront Neighborhood of San Francisco, CA from $600 (155 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Central Waterfront area of San Francisco.

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1101 Howard St
$1,945 - $2,431
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,945 - $2,431
Total Monthly Price
$1,945 - $2,431
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

1101 Howard St

1101 Howard StSan Francisco, CA 94103
Senior Living
  • Verified
  • Low Income
  • 3D Tour
property at 347 Eddy St

$1,995

Studio Rentals

Unavailable

347 Eddy St

San FranciscoCA94102
property at 422 Ellis St

$1,695 - $1,995

Studio Rentals

Available Now

422 Ellis St

San FranciscoCA94102

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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Geary Courtyard
Rent Specials
$2,546 - $3,176
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,546 - $3,176
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Geary Courtyard

639 Geary StSan Francisco, CA 94102
Affordability
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  • Customer Reviewed
  • Utilities Included
property at 811 Valencia St

$2,775 - $2,875

Studio Rentals

Available Now

811 Valencia St

San FranciscoCA94110
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The Wilson
$2,799
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,799
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Oct 8

The Wilson

973 Market StSan Francisco, CA 94103
Corporate Housing
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour

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

Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

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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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Hanover Soma West
Rent Specials
$3,430 - $9,286
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$3,430 - $9,286
Total Monthly Price
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Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Hanover Soma West

1140 Harrison StSan Francisco, CA 94103
Pet Friendly
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  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour

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.

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property at 5264 3rd St

$3,600

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$3,600
Total Monthly Price
$3,600

2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Now

5264 3rd St, Unit 301

5264 3rd St
San FranciscoCA94124
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Prism
$3,610 - $10,035
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$3,610 - $10,035
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Prism

1028 Market StSan Francisco, CA 94102
Transit Friendly
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour
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The Kelsey Civic Center
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

The Kelsey Civic Center

240 Van Ness AveSan Francisco, CA 94102
  • Utilities Included
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Columbia Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Columbia Apartments

743 Polk StSan Francisco, CA 94109
  • Utilities Included
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La Fnix at 1950
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

La Fnix at 1950

1950 Mission StSan Francisco, CA 94103
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555 EDDY Apartments
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

555 EDDY Apartments

555 Eddy StSan Francisco, CA 94109

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.

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Central Waterfront, San Francisco, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Central Waterfront Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Central Waterfront area of San Francisco, CA is a Studio unit found at Columbia Apartments priced from $895. SF House has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,300. Here are the most affordable Central Waterfront apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Columbia Apartments0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$895
SF HouseUrban NestStudio,1BA$1,300
949 Post StStudioStudio,1BA$1,545
TL ResidencesStudio, 1 fullStudio,1BA$1,695
145 Leavenworth StStudio, 1 fullStudio,1BA$1,695
The Cornelia SuitesCornelia StudioStudio,1BA$1,750
1101 Howard St2 Br / 1 Ba2BR,1BA$1,968
925 Geary StreetStudioStudio,1BA$1,995
The Sophie Maxwell BuildingStudio2BR,1BA$2,183
650 Ellis1 Studio 1 Bath ApartmentStudio,1BA$2,295

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Central Waterfront, CA

As of July 17, 2026 the best value apartment in the Central Waterfront area is the $4.98 price per square foot 1 Bed, 1 Bath Model at Bennett Lofts in the in the South Of Market neighborhood starting from $4,627. The second greatest value Central Waterfront apartment is the 2 Bd / 1 Ba Model at Mission Bart Apartments - Newly Renovated starting at $3,995 with a $4.46 price per square foot in the Hunters Point neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Central Waterfront apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Bennett Lofts1 Bed, 1 Bath1BR,1BA$4.98
Mission Bart Apartments - Newly Renovated2 Bd / 1 Ba2BR,1BA$4.46
1101 Howard St2 Br / 1 Ba2BR,1BA$2.34
Trinity Towers ApartmentsRenovated 1 Bed, 1 Bath1BR,1BA$5.14
605 Jones1 Bedroom 1 Bath Apartment1BR,1BA$5.65
The Grid SOMAA2L1BR,1BA$4.95
650 Ellis1 Studio 1 Bath ApartmentStudio ,1BA$5.43
The Cornelia SuitesCornelia StudioStudio ,1BA$5.30
949 Post StStudioStudio ,1BA$5.15
Columbia Apartments0BR/1.0BAStudio ,1BA$5.56

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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Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco

A Local Experts guide to the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods Near Colleges in the Bay area for affordable living. Find your perfect San Francisco Student apartment, condo, or rental home today at ApartmentHomeliving.com

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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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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.

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Central Waterfront, San Francisco, CA

Ranked #4

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

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
Central Waterfront, San Francisco, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you our detailed rental analysis called 'Lifestyle Ratings' - a comparison of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, including Central Waterfront, San Francisco, and the greater San Francisco area. Our Lifestyle Ratings help you zero-in on the perfect place to call home. This takes in many factors including rankings of the best places for the best outdoor access, luxury amenities, pet-friendly features, apartment complexes for the kids, proximity to transit, and other valuable search options. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Central Waterfront Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Central Waterfront?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Central Waterfront is under $2,295.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Central Waterfront?

The cheapest apartment in Central Waterfront is 1030 Post Street Apartments which is listed at $1,995, while the average apartment in Central Waterfront costs $7,532.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Central Waterfront?

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 10 regular apartments in Central Waterfront 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 Central Waterfront?

Cheap apartments in Central Waterfront have an average cost of $241 which is $7,291 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Central Waterfront.

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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Naturally, going away to college or university is super exciting in and of itself. It’s the prelude to the rest of your life, not to mention an unforgettable experience all its own.

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Deciding to move to San Francisco for work is a huge deal. San Fran is exciting and just weird enough to let you know you’re in for an amazing adventure, right from day one.

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Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

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Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention

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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.

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