
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown San Jose Neighborhood of San Jose, CA from $900 (44 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown San Jose area of San Jose.


737 S 11th St

Pensione Esperanza

598 Columbia Ave

Atrium Garden

Vintage Tower

The Kelsey Ayer Station
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.

455 E St John St

Hacienda Creek Senior Apartments

Metropolitan Court Apartments

1040-1058 N. 4th St, San Jose

125 Duane St

109 Duane St
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E Empire - Owner Notify - Rent Control-DT
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Downtown San Jose, San Jose, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Downtown San Jose?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown San Jose Studio Apartments | $2,624 | $1,250 | $3,695 |
| Downtown San Jose 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,055 | $1,100 | $7,227 |
| Downtown San Jose 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,722 | $1,995 | $5,791 |
| Downtown San Jose 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,779 | $3,346 | $6,079 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 44 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown San Jose Neighborhood of San Jose, CA.
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Downtown San Jose, San Jose, CA Local Guide
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Cheapest Available Downtown San Jose Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown San Jose area of San Jose, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at 164 S 10th St priced from $1,240. Pensione Esperanza has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,250. Here are the most affordable Downtown San Jose apartments for rent in San Jose, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 164 S 10th St | 164 S 10th St | 1BR,1BA | $1,240 |
| Pensione Esperanza | Studio, 1 bath | Studio,1BA | $1,250 |
| The Franciscan | Room 8 | Studio,1BA | $1,450 |
| The Kelsey Ayer Station | 50% AMI Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,566 |
| 39-0008 | 0BR/1.0BA | Studio,1BA | $1,650 |
| 515 E WiLL | 7 | 1BR,1BA | $1,680 |
| Hacienda Creek Senior Apartments | 1 Bed, 1 bath | 1BR,1BA | $1,759 |
| 232 N 8th St | 1 Bed 1 Bath Corner | 1BR,1BA | $1,895 |
| 1040-1058 N. 4th St, San Jose | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,935 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown San Jose, CA
As of December 29, 2025 the best value apartment in the Downtown San Jose area is the $2.25 price per square foot 455 Washington St Model at 455 Washington St, Unit A in the in the South San Jose neighborhood starting from $3,599. The second greatest value Downtown San Jose apartment is the Regent Model at The Esplanade starting at $4,439 with a $2.97 price per square foot in the South San Jose neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown San Jose apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 455 Washington St, Unit A | 455 Washington St | 3BR,1.5BA | $2.25 |
| The Esplanade | Regent | 3BR,3BA | $2.97 |
| Palm Court Apartments | 3X1 | 3BR,1BA | $2.73 |
| 428 S 11th St | 2 bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $2.88 |
| Villa Torino | The Firenze | 1BR,1BA | $3.12 |
| Westwood Properties | 55 S 6th | 1BR,1BA | $3.13 |
| 182 N 11th St | 182 N 11th St | 1BR,1BA | $2.49 |
| 515 E WiLL | 7 | 1BR,1BA | $2.49 |
| Hacienda Creek Senior Apartments | 1 Bed, 1 bath | 1BR,1BA | $2.64 |
| 39-0008 | 0BR/1.0BA | Studio ,1BA | $3.00 |
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
Read ArticleDon'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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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 Jose, San Jose, CA
Ranked #57
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
4.0Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Downtown San Jose, San Jose, CA
School data provided by Great Schools
Lifestyle Ratings
Our team compiles millions of data points to bring you our detailed rental analysis called 'Lifestyle Ratings' - a comparison of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, and customized analysis for San Jose, California. 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 the best outdoor access, luxury amenities, kid and pet-friendly communities, availability of transit options, and other valuable search options. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown San Jose Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Downtown San Jose?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown San Jose is under $1,935.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown San Jose?
The cheapest apartment in Downtown San Jose is 164 S 10th St which is listed at $1,240, while the average apartment in Downtown San Jose costs $4,900.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown 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 28 regular apartments in Downtown 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 Downtown San Jose?
Cheap apartments in Downtown San Jose have an average cost of $703 which is $4,197 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown 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

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.

How to Make Your Apartment Holiday-Ready: Renter-Friendly Tips
Written by: Justin Habersaat
Getting your apartment ready for the holidays can be exciting but sometimes challenging in a smaller space. Here are some modern tips to keep things festive, safe, and inviting this season.

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.





























