Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown San Marcos Neighborhood of San Marcos, TX from $400 (37 Rentals)

How Many Bedrooms?Done
Select your price rangeDone
to
Note: Properties with the Total Monthly Price badge include all required fees. Hover over the badge for details.
Lifestyle Matching SearchDone
Learn more about Lifestyle Search
By AmenitiesDone
By Community TypeDone
Features and AvailabilityDone
Done

Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown San Marcos area of San Marcos.

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.

Read Article

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.

Read Article

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.

Read Article
close
View Me
Blanco River Lodge
Rent Specials
$1,160 - $2,508
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,160 - $2,508
Total Monthly Price
Varies
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Blanco River Lodge

1650 River RdSan Marcos, TX 78666
Student Housing
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour
close
View Me
165 Lofts
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

165 Lofts

165 S Guadalupe StSan Marcos, TX 78666
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
R Squared
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

R Squared

140 S Fredericksburg StSan Marcos, TX 78666
  • Utilities Included

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.

Read Article
Showing Results 1-37, Page 1 of 1

Downtown San Marcos, San Marcos, TX Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown San Marcos Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown San Marcos area of San Marcos, TX is a 1 Bed unit found at Tapestry at Aquarena Springs priced from $683. Redwood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 2 Beds apartment currently listed from $769. Here are the most affordable Downtown San Marcos apartments for rent in San Marcos, TX:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Tapestry at Aquarena SpringsA21BR,1BA$683
RedwoodB12BR,2BA$769
La Vista1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$775
The Lanes at OsloStudio DStudio,1BA$780
The Thompson | Student Housing4 Bedroom 4 Bathroom Townhome4BR,4BA$789
El MontyOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$799
The Atlantic PalazzoA1A1BR,1BA$809
The Summit Apartments1X11BR,1BA$825
Ranch at 1856 Apartments1 Bed 1 bath1BR,1BA$850
Union San MarcosComal Renovated2BR,2BA$894

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown San Marcos, TX

As of May 30, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown San Marcos area is the $0.52 price per square foot 4 Bedroom Flat Model at The Thompson | Student Housing in the in the Blanco River Village neighborhood starting from $850. The second greatest value Downtown San Marcos apartment is the 2BR/2.5BA Model at The Village on Telluride starting at $1,009 with a $0.65 price per square foot in the Blanco River Village neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown San Marcos apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
The Thompson | Student Housing4 Bedroom Flat4BR,4BA$0.52
The Village on Telluride2BR/2.5BA2BR,2.5BA$0.65
The Local Downtown4X4D14BR,4BA$0.64
Cottages at San MarcosC1 Duplex3BR,3BA$0.65
Villas at Willow Springs3 Bed 2 Bath (Flat)3BR,2BA$0.98
Rio Ranch TownhomesUnit B 1025 SF2BR,1.5BA$1.07
Florencia VillaResidential2BR,2BA$1.10
Cabana Beach San Marcos2x22BR,2BA$0.75
Millennium on PostTwo Bedroom - Priced by the Bed2BR,2BA$0.87
ARBA San MarcosFrisco2BR,2BA$1.08

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 Article
Decorative image

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.

Read Article
Decorative image

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.

decorative image of people with a giant lease agreement

Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Downtown San Marcos, San Marcos, TX

Ranked #1

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

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

decorative image of woman handing cat to small boy

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown San Marcos Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown San Marcos?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown San Marcos is under $894.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown San Marcos?

The cheapest apartment in Downtown San Marcos is Tapestry at Aquarena Springs which is listed at $683, while the average apartment in Downtown San Marcos costs $1,199.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown San Marcos?

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 260 regular apartments in Downtown San Marcos 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 Marcos?

Cheap apartments in Downtown San Marcos have an average cost of $677 which is $522 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown San Marcos.

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

decorative image for Neighborhood and Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent article

Neighborhood and Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent

Written by: Robin Stewart

Apartment-hunting can be a gargantuan task. Renters have a wish list of items—some luxuries, some necessities—but finding what you seek in the right place is perhaps the most important part of the journey.

decorative image for A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back article

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.

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

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.

decorative image for What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much article

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.