
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown San Francisco Neighborhood of San Francisco, CA from $800 (172 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown San Francisco area of San Francisco.


SF House

666 Jackson St

639 Broadway, Unit 2

949 Post St

The Cornelia Suites

1030 Post Street Apartments

Total Monthly Price
1018 Clay St, Unit 1018 Clay str

422 Ellis St

810 Hyde St
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.

931 O'Farrell St

MARK HOPKINS

Total Monthly Price
Geary Courtyard

Tower 737 Condominium Rentals

505 Taylor St

Total Monthly Price
1201 Sutter St, Unit SI FL2-ID1741

1426 Stockton St

Total Monthly Price
501 Delancey St, Unit SI FL2-ID182

1600 Larkin St

669 ELLIS Apartments
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.

President Hotel Apartments

947 Bush

513-519 Bush St

Burnette Apartments

520 Geary

McAlpin Building

615 Leavenworth

Hyde Park Apartments LLC.

980 Bush

675 OFarrell
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.

1051 Post

930 Post

1750 Franklin St

621 Taylor

1020 Post

Palace Court Apartments LLC.

Chester Hall Apartments

St. Stephen's Apartments

1050 Post

720 Jones
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.

725 Ellis

124 Mason

Sutter Street Apartments

Jones Street Terrace

Post Arms Apartments

750 O'Farrell

676 GEARY Apartments

1408 California

626 Powell

691 O'Farrell
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.
Downtown San Francisco, San Francisco, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Downtown San Francisco?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown San Francisco Studio Apartments | $4,055 | $1,200 | $6,496 |
| Downtown San Francisco 1 Bedroom Apartments | $5,457 | $898 | $8,100 |
| Downtown San Francisco 2 Bedroom Apartments | $8,273 | $2,600 | $10,000+ |
| Downtown San Francisco 3 Bedroom Apartments | $17,427 | $8,995 | $10,000+ |
| Downtown San Francisco 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,850 | $1,850 | $1,850 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 172 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown San Francisco Neighborhood of San Francisco, CA.
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Downtown San Francisco, San Francisco, CA Local Guide
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Cheapest Available Downtown San Francisco Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown San Francisco area of San Francisco, CA is a Studio unit found at SF House priced from $1,300. 949 Post St has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,545. Here are the most affordable Downtown San Francisco apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| SF House | Urban Nest | Studio,1BA | $1,300 |
| 949 Post St | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,545 |
| 1030 Post Street Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $1,995 |
| 925 Geary Street | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,995 |
| 650 Ellis | 1 Studio 1 Bath Apartment | Studio,1BA | $2,295 |
| 735 Taylor | 1 Efficiency 1 Bath Apartment | Studio,1BA | $2,395 |
| Geary Courtyard | 0x1 | Studio,1BA | $2,546 |
| 516 Ellis | 1 Bedroom 1 Bath Apartment | 1BR,1BA | $2,695 |
| Tower 737 Condominium Rentals | Residence 1 | Studio,1BA | $2,810 |
| Ehren Apartments | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $3,025 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown San Francisco, CA
As of July 15, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown San Francisco area is the $5.59 price per square foot 2 Bedrooms I Model at SoMa Square in the in the South Of Market neighborhood starting from $5,832. The second greatest value Downtown San Francisco apartment is the 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Model at NorthPoint Vistas starting at $4,400 with a $4.58 price per square foot in the Downtown San Francisco neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown San Francisco apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| SoMa Square | 2 Bedrooms I | 2BR,2BA | $5.59 |
| NorthPoint Vistas | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $4.58 |
| 1355 Post Street Apartments | 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $4.69 |
| Trinity Towers Apartments | Renovated 1 Bed, 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $5.14 |
| 605 Jones | 1 Bedroom 1 Bath Apartment | 1BR,1BA | $5.65 |
| 1030 Post Street Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $3.80 |
| 516 Ellis | 1 Bedroom 1 Bath Apartment | 1BR,1BA | $6.36 |
| 650 Ellis | 1 Studio 1 Bath Apartment | Studio ,1BA | $5.43 |
| 925 Geary Street | Studio | Studio ,1BA | $5.97 |
| 949 Post St | Studio | Studio ,1BA | $5.15 |
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 ArticleLocal 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
Read ArticleReal 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 ArticleQuick 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.
Pet Friendly LifestyleDowntown San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Ranked #20
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
4.0Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Downtown San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Lau (Gordon J.) Elementary
School data provided by Great Schools
Lifestyle Ratings
This website compares millions of points of data to bring you our detailed rental analysis called 'Lifestyle Ratings' - a comparison of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, and customized analysis for San Francisco, California. LifeStyle Ratings are the best way to sort through finding a place to live - beyond price and floorplan. This takes in many factors including rankings of the best places for the best proximity to parks and outdoor amenities, luxury amenities, pet-friendly features, places that make kids happy, proximity to transit, walking, and biking. Use Lifestyle Search in the site filter options on this page - and find your Perfect place!
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown San Francisco Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Downtown San Francisco?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown San Francisco is under $3,025.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown San Francisco?
The cheapest apartment in Downtown San Francisco is 1030 Post Street Apartments which is listed at $1,995, while the average apartment in Downtown San Francisco costs $17,427.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown San Francisco?
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 3 regular apartments in Downtown San Francisco 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

A San Francisco Local Expert’s Guide to the Top Budget-Friendly Bay Area Neighborhoods to Rent
Written by: Shannon Hilson
If you’re anything like me, the thought of San Francisco is synonymous with concepts like creativity, character, and quirky local style.

Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco
Written by: Shannon Hilson
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.

Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers
Written by: Shannon Hilson
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.

Bay Living Like a Local: The Insider's Guide to Life and Renting in San Francisco, CA
Written by: Shannon Hilson
San Francisco is so much more than just postcard-perfect views of cable cars and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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.

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.

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.

Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.