Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Jose, CA from $500 (87 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in San Jose.

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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Paseo Senter
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Paseo Senter

1900 Senter RdSan Jose, CA 95112
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Willow Pointe
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Willow Pointe

1010 S 3rd StSan Jose, CA 95112

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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Delmas Park
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Delmas Park

350 Barack Obama BlvdSan Jose, CA 95126
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Miraido Village
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Miraido Village

520-566 N 6th StSan Jose, CA 95112
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Miranda Village
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Miranda Village

2094 Forest AveSan Jose, CA 95128
Senior Living
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Trestles Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Trestles Apartments

1566 Scott StSan Jose, CA 95126
  • Utilities Included
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Page Street Studios
Studio Apartments

Page Street Studios

333 Page StSan Jose, CA 95126
Corporate Housing
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Pensione Esperanza
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Pensione Esperanza

598 Columbia AveSan Jose, CA 95126
Senior Living
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Villa Hermosa
1 Bedroom Apartments

Villa Hermosa

1640 Hermocilla WaySan Jose, CA 95116
Senior Living
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Eden Palms Apartments
2 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Eden Palms Apartments

5398 Monterey RdSan Jose, CA 95111
  • Utilities Included

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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912 - 914 Delbert Way
Studio Apartments

912 - 914 Delbert Way

912-914 Delbert WaySan Jose, CA 95126
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Jeanne D ARC Manor
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Jeanne D ARC Manor

85 S 5th StSan Jose, CA 95112
Senior Living
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Pollard Plaza Apartment
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Pollard Plaza Apartment

1150 Mclaughlin AveSan Jose, CA 95122
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Brookwood Terrace
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Brookwood Terrace

1346 E San Antonio StSan Jose, CA 95116
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650 S 8th St
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

650 S 8th St

650 S 8th StSan Jose, CA 95112
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215 Oak St
1 Bedroom Apartments

215 Oak St

215 Oak StSan Jose, CA 95110
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Bella Castello
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Bella Castello

570 Keyes StSan Jose, CA 95112

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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Almaden House
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Almaden House

2415 Rinconada DrSan Jose, CA 95125
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Turnleaf Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Turnleaf Apartments

3201 Loma Verde DrSan Jose, CA 95117
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1137 Roewill Dr
1 Bedroom Apartments

1137 Roewill Dr

1137 Roewill DrSan Jose, CA 95117
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Ranchero Apartments
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Ranchero Apartments

1054-1060 Ranchero WaySan Jose, CA 95117
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Metro Gardens
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Metro Gardens

420 S 3rd StSan Jose, CA 95112
  • Utilities Included

The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

San Jose, CA Local Guide

Photo of Justin Habersaat - Editing Staff
Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in San Jose, CA

Pricing Updated: 05/13/2026

Current apartment rentals in the San Jose, CA area range in price from $972 to $25,200 with an overall median price of $6,679. The three San Jose neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Burbank at $1,690, Central Los Altos at $1,708, and Hillside at $1,900. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for San Jose Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Burbank$1,690$1,6901
Central Los Altos$1,901$1,7081
Hillside$1,937$1,9001
Rose Garden$2,350$2,3501
Cambrian Community$2,617$1,5995
The Willows$2,687$2,4251
Starbird$2,795$2,1953
Garden$2,800$2,8001
Hillview$2,807$1,43710
Story Road$2,807$1,4374

Cheapest Available San Jose Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in San Jose, CA is a Studio unit found at Stevens Creek in the Loma Linda neighborhood priced from $972. Summercrest Villas in the South San Jose neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $976. Here is today’s list of the most affordable San Jose apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Stevens CreekStudioStudio,1BA$972
Summercrest Villas1x11BR,1BA$976
27 North - Student Housing Apartments2B Shared Attached - Fall 2026 (Other)2BR,2BA$995
Blossom Valley Senior ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$995
88 Saratoga Avenue ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,004
Borregas Court ApartmentsStudio AStudio,1BA$1,200
Parkside StudiosStudioStudio,1BA$1,235
164 S 10th St164 S 10th St1BR,4BA$1,240
Vela ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,437

Best Value Apartments for Rent in San Jose, CA

As of May 13, 2026 the best value apartment in the San Jose area is the $2.25 price per square foot Malina Townhome - Live/Work Model at Lawrence Station in the in the North San Jose neighborhood starting from $4,789. The second greatest value San Jose apartment is the MODEL 2 BEDROOM 2 BATHROOM - FOR VIEWING ONLY Model at Stonebridge Apartments starting at $2,590 with a $2.16 price per square foot in the South San Jose neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for San Jose apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Lawrence StationMalina Townhome - Live/Work2BR,2.5BA$2.25
Stonebridge ApartmentsMODEL 2 BEDROOM 2 BATHROOM - FOR VIEWING ONLY2BR,2BA$2.16
Dry Creek Crossing3 Beds, 2 baths3BR,2BA$2.50
Sedona Apartments2bed 1bath2BR,1BA$2.44
27 North - Student Housing Apartments2D Private Attached - Spring 2026 (Other)2BR,2BA$2.19
515 E WiLL71BR,1BA$2.49
Summercrest Villas1x11BR,1BA$1.70
Stevens CreekStudioStudio ,1BA$2.28
88 Saratoga Avenue ApartmentsStudioStudio ,1BA$2.38
Blossom Valley Senior ApartmentsStudioStudio ,1BA$2.53

Beyond Campus: Finding Your Perfect San Jose Apartment in the Perfect Student Friendly Neighborhood

Going to college in San Jose? Our local expert gives you the inside scoop on the best neighborhoods to live near Near SJSU, SCU, SJCC, and EVC

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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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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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San Jose Overview

Many people have been flocking to California Bay Area’s biggest city for the past 50 years and it only takes a moment to see all the reasons why. Nestled in the middle of Silicon Valley, the booming Tech Industry calls this area home, the sun shines over 250 days a year, and the beauty of all of California’s diverse landscapes are all within a few hours’ drive. Its residents are highly educated and culturally diverse and the city offers many opportunities for them to get out of their San Jose apartments and meet your neighbors from annual festivals to enjoying a day at the 170 acre Kelley Park. If you prefer not to drive, the Downtown area caters to those who would rather walk, bike, or ride the train or bus.

Why live in San Jose, CA?

San Jose is known for being at the leading edge of technology when the tech industry is in its Golden Age. Business is booming and the economy is growing so well that the city has dubbed itself the “Capital of Opportunity”. Young professionals will feel at home here with almost 40% of the population being between the ages of 20 and 40. And with a wide variety of options for homes and apartments in San Jose, finding the perfect place is a cinch.

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

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San Jose, CA Area Reviews

  • Parks
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  • Local Vibes
  • Restaurants
  • Location
  • Traffic
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  • Cost of Living
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Shannon

May 4, 2025

Wonderful place to live if you work remotely, in tech, or in the creative arts. Fantastic vibes and really very affordable compared to other cities like San Francisco. Lots of amazing places to grab a quick bite or waste a spare afternoon, as well.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap San Jose Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in San Jose?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in San Jose is under $1,437.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in San Jose?

The cheapest apartment in San Jose is Summercrest Villas which is listed at $976, while the average apartment in San Jose costs $6,679.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in San Jose?

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 5,879 regular apartments in San Jose 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 San Jose?

Cheap apartments in San Jose have an average cost of $629 which is $6,050 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in San Jose.

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

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A Local Expert's Guide to the Top 10 Best Affordable Neighborhoods for Renters in San Jose

Written by: Shannon Hilson

If you’ve spent much time in San Jose, you’ve likely heard it referred to as “the capital of Silicon Valley” a time or two, and with good reason. San Jose has it all when it comes to the modern California lifestyle and then some.

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A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back

Written by: Lauren Harrington

I’m going to talk with you as a seasoned property manager and friend. So, let’s start with your security deposit. I want you to think about this guide as insider information. You deserve your deposit back.

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Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article is based on first-hand experience managing apartment communities and helping renters adapt to their spaces after moving in.

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

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.