Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Central City Neighborhood of Santa Ana, CA from $965 (82 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Central City area of Santa Ana.

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.

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Fairview Green
$2,270 - $3,088
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

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$2,270 - $3,088

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1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Fairview Green

2613 S Fairview Sreet StSanta Ana, CA 92704
Affordability
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Rafferty
Rent Specials
$2,340 - $9,668
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Total Monthly Price

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$2,340 - $9,668

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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Rafferty

401 N Main StSanta Ana, CA 92701
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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.

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Arte West
Rent Specials
$2,370 - $2,608
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$2,370 - $2,608

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Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Arte West

3630 Westminster AveSanta Ana, CA 92703
Pet Friendly
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property at 901 E Occidental St

$2,400

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,400

Total Monthly Price
$2,400

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Now

901 E Occidental St

Santa AnaCA92707
property at 600 W 3rd St

$2,450

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,450

Total Monthly Price
$2,450

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Now

600 W 3rd St, Unit A312

600 W 3rd St
Santa AnaCA92701
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317 S Flower St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

317 S Flower St

317 S Flower StSanta Ana, CA 92703
  • Utilities Included
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Santa Ana Arts Collective
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Santa Ana Arts Collective

1666 N Main StSanta Ana, CA 92701
Senior Living
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Villa Sonata Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Villa Sonata Apartments

1601 Civic Center Dr WSanta Ana, CA 92703
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1401 W. Walnut St.
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

1401 W. Walnut St.

1401 W Walnut StSanta Ana, CA 92703
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511 E Washington Ave
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

511 E Washington Ave

511 E Washington AveSanta Ana, CA 92701

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.

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Parc Square Apartments
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Parc Square Apartments

1330 N Bush StSanta Ana, CA 92701
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Wilshire Apartments
1 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Wilshire Apartments

1201-1233 E Wilshire AveSanta Ana, CA 92707
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Walnut Street Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Walnut Street Apartments

1622-1658 W Walnut StSanta Ana, CA 92703
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Durant Court
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Durant Court

1507 N Durant StSanta Ana, CA 92706
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Highland Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Highland Apartments

1116-1120 Highland StSanta Ana, CA 92703
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Cypress Apartments
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Cypress Apartments

210 Cypress AveSanta Ana, CA 92701
  • Utilities Included

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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Studio One Apartments
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Studio One Apartments

315 E Washington AveSanta Ana, CA 92701
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Bush Court Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

Bush Court Apartments

1407 N Bush StSanta Ana, CA 92701
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1905 N Bush St
2 Bedroom Apartments

1905 N Bush St

1905 N Bush StSanta Ana, CA 92706
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Garden Court Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Garden Court Apartments

300 E Santa Ana BlvdSanta Ana, CA 92701
  • Utilities Included
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1214 W. Brook St
1 Bedroom Apartments

1214 W. Brook St

1214 W Brook StSanta Ana, CA 92703
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Park Tower
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Park Tower

215 E 15th StSanta Ana, CA 92701
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The Courtyard
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

The Courtyard

1415 N Spurgeon StSanta Ana, CA 92701

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

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 ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The RegentStudioStudio,1BA$1,850
Santa Ana Birch Apartments1 Bed / 1 Bath1BR,1BA$1,860
405 W 10th St1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1,895
1410 S Minnie St1410 Minnie 1BD/1BA1BR,1BA$1,900
Park Downtown Apartments1x11BR,1BA$2,015
888 on MainL5Studio,1BA$2,059
Flower Terrace - 62+ Senior ApartmentsOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,094
Villa Del Sur Apartment Homes11A1BR,1BA$2,095
The Imperial Apartments1+1 AA1BR,1BA$2,175
Vintage Woods ApartmentsPlan 11BR,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 ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Villa Del Sol Apartments21AH2BR,1.5BA$3.23
Ross Towers2 Bed 2 Bath2BR,2BA$2.71
Fairview GreenMedium 2 Bed 1 Bath2BR,1BA$3.24
850 N. Van Ness Ave.2BD x 1 BA2BR,1BA$3.17
BROADWAY PLAZA2 Bedroom, 1 1/4 Bath (C)2BR,1BA$3.40
Pacific Woods Apartment Homes1 Bed 1 Bath B Location1BR,1BA$3.16
Vintage Woods ApartmentsPlan 11BR,1BA$3.31
The Imperial Apartments1+1 AA1BR,1BA$3.36
Park Downtown Apartments1x11BR,1BA$3.23
The RegentStudioStudio ,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.

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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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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.

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Central City, Santa Ana, CA

Ranked #48

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

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.