
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Central City Neighborhood of Santa Ana, CA from $965 (82 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Central City area of Santa Ana.


Flower Terrace - 62+ Senior Apartments

The Regent

San Tropez

Total Monthly Price
Santa Ana Birch Apartments

California Palms Apartments

888 on Main

Excelsior Apartments

Casa De Porter Apartments

1512 W 5th St, Unit 1512
Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

Bush Terrace

Villa Del Sur Apartment Homes

1610 S Evergreen St, Unit D

Villa Del Sol Apartments

Pacific Woods Apartment Homes

Total Monthly Price
Fairview Green

Bentley Parke

Total Monthly Price
Rafferty

Ross Towers

321 S Orange Ave, Unit C
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.

Total Monthly Price
Arte West

901 E Occidental St

River House Apartments

600 W 3rd St, Unit A312

317 S Flower St

Santa Ana Arts Collective

Villa Sonata Apartments

1401 W. Walnut St.

2230 S Hickory St

511 E Washington Ave
How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide
Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

Parc Square Apartments

Wilshire Apartments

514 E Wellington Ave

Walnut Street Apartments

Durant Court

Tradewinds Apartments

Highland Apartments

Cypress Apartments

The Palms at South Coast

Santiago Villas Senior Apartments
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.

George Wright House Apartments

Studio One Apartments

Bush Court Apartments

Park Townhome Apartments

1905 N Bush St

Garden Court Apartments

1409 W. Lingan Lane

1214 W. Brook St

Park Tower

The Courtyard
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.
Central City, Santa Ana, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Central City?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central City Studio Apartments | $2,245 | $1,495 | $4,176 |
| Central City 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,918 | $1,850 | $9,668 |
| Central City 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,232 | $2,100 | $9,114 |
| Central City 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,920 | $2,755 | $3,088 |
| Central City 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,055 | $3,055 | $3,055 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 82 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Central City Neighborhood of Santa Ana, CA.
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Central City, Santa Ana, CA Local Guide
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Cheapest Available Central City Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Central City area of Santa Ana, CA is a Studio unit found at The Regent priced from $1,850. Santa Ana Birch Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $1,860. Here are the most affordable Central City apartments for rent in Santa Ana, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Regent | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,850 |
| Santa Ana Birch Apartments | 1 Bed / 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $1,860 |
| 405 W 10th St | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $1,895 |
| 1410 S Minnie St | 1410 Minnie 1BD/1BA | 1BR,1BA | $1,900 |
| Park Downtown Apartments | 1x1 | 1BR,1BA | $2,015 |
| 888 on Main | L5 | Studio,1BA | $2,059 |
| Flower Terrace - 62+ Senior Apartments | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,094 |
| Villa Del Sur Apartment Homes | 11A | 1BR,1BA | $2,095 |
| The Imperial Apartments | 1+1 AA | 1BR,1BA | $2,175 |
| Vintage Woods Apartments | Plan 1 | 1BR,1BA | $2,185 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Central City, CA
As of August 26, 2026 the best value apartment in the Central City area is the $3.23 price per square foot 21AH Model at Villa Del Sol Apartments in the in the South Harbor neighborhood starting from $2,800. The second greatest value Central City apartment is the 2 Bed 2 Bath Model at Ross Towers starting at $2,345 with a $2.71 price per square foot in the Bristol neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Central City apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villa Del Sol Apartments | 21AH | 2BR,1.5BA | $3.23 |
| Ross Towers | 2 Bed 2 Bath | 2BR,2BA | $2.71 |
| Fairview Green | Medium 2 Bed 1 Bath | 2BR,1BA | $3.24 |
| 850 N. Van Ness Ave. | 2BD x 1 BA | 2BR,1BA | $3.17 |
| BROADWAY PLAZA | 2 Bedroom, 1 1/4 Bath (C) | 2BR,1BA | $3.40 |
| Pacific Woods Apartment Homes | 1 Bed 1 Bath B Location | 1BR,1BA | $3.16 |
| Vintage Woods Apartments | Plan 1 | 1BR,1BA | $3.31 |
| The Imperial Apartments | 1+1 AA | 1BR,1BA | $3.36 |
| Park Downtown Apartments | 1x1 | 1BR,1BA | $3.23 |
| The Regent | Studio | Studio ,1BA | $3.36 |
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 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 LifestyleCentral City, Santa Ana, CA
Ranked #48
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
4.0Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Central City, Santa Ana, CA
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary
Gerald P. Carr Intermediate
School data provided by Great Schools
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Central City Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Central City?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Central City is under $2,185.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Central City?
The cheapest apartment in Central City is Flower Terrace - 62+ Senior Apartments which is listed at $1,800, while the average apartment in Central City costs $2,695.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Central City?
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 8 regular apartments in Central City 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.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Written by: Robin Stewart
The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags
Written by: Robin Stewart
Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently
Written by: Robin Stewart
Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.

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.