Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Santa Clara Neighborhood of Santa Clara, CA from $1,600 (23 Rentals)

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

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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1045-1055 Lewis St
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

1045-1055 Lewis St

1045-1055 Lewis StSanta Clara, CA 95050
  • Utilities Included
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155 Monroe St
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

155 Monroe St

155 Monroe StSanta Clara, CA 95050
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515 Saratoga Ave
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

515 Saratoga Ave

515 Saratoga AveSanta Clara, CA 95050
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The Palms
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

The Palms

1457-1475 Santa Clara StSanta Clara, CA 95050
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Lilyanne Apartment
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Lilyanne Apartment

1900 Scott BlvdSanta Clara, CA 95050
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1882 Amelia Way
1 Bedroom Apartments

1882 Amelia Way

1882 Amelia WaySanta Clara, CA 95050
  • 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.

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Mansard Apartments
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Mansard Apartments

2770 Newhall StSanta Clara, CA 95050
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Jefferson Street
1 Bedroom Apartments

Jefferson Street

1211 Jefferson StSanta Clara, CA 95050
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2144 Royal Dr
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

2144 Royal Dr

2144 Royal DrSanta Clara, CA 95050
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Main Street Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Main Street Apartments

2020 Main StSanta Clara, CA 95050
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Woodland apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

Woodland apartments

1646 Davis StSan Jose, CA 95126
  • 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.

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Town House
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Town House

1220 N Bascom AveSan Jose, CA 95128
  • Utilities Included

Downtown Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown Santa Clara Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Santa Clara area of San Jose, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Civic Plaza Apartments priced from $1,980. Bascom Holiday Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,995. Here are the most affordable Downtown Santa Clara apartments for rent in San Jose, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Civic Plaza ApartmentsMedium 1 Bed 1 Bath Senior1BR,1BA$1,980
Bascom Holiday ApartmentsS/1 USStudio,1BA$1,995
Solera Apartment CommunityPlan A11BR,1BA$2,555
Tamarack Apartment Homes1 Bed 1 Baths1BR,1BA$2,600
Royal Palms Apartments2 Bedroom 1 Bath2BR,1BA$2,695

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Santa Clara, CA

As of December 29, 2025 the best value apartment in the Downtown Santa Clara area is the $3.44 price per square foot Mollino Model at Domicilio in the in the South San Jose neighborhood starting from $4,088. The second greatest value Downtown Santa Clara apartment is the 2 Bedroom 1 Bath Model at Royal Palms Apartments starting at $2,695 with a $2.84 price per square foot in the Downtown Santa Clara neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Santa Clara apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
DomicilioMollino2BR,2BA$3.44
Royal Palms Apartments2 Bedroom 1 Bath2BR,1BA$2.84
Le ParcNice2BR,1BA$3.13
480 California St, Unit 4480 California St2BR,1BA$3.08
Normandy Park1x1rw1BR,1BA$3.29
Summerwood ApartmentsOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,1BA$3.51
Solera Apartment CommunityPlan A11BR,1BA$3.56
Tamarack Apartment Homes1 Bed 1 Baths1BR,1BA$3.85
1050 Benton St, Unit FL3-ID3081050 Benton St1BR,1BA$3.82
Civic Plaza ApartmentsMedium 1 Bed 1 Bath Senior1BR,1BA$3.69

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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The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.

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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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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
Downtown Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA

Ranked #4

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

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

3.5
Pet Friendly

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Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving.com compiles millions of data points to bring you Lifestyle Ratings of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, and customized analysis for Northwest Central San Jose, CA. LifeStyle Ratings are a useful tool for comparing and sorting apartments and neighborhoods when choosing your rental home. This takes in many factors including filtering automatically for the best proximity to parks and outdoor amenities, luxury housing options, transit availability, pet-friendly communities, features that make it easier to raise kids, and how walkable or bikeable each community and area is. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Santa Clara Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Santa Clara?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Santa Clara is under $2,899.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Santa Clara?

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Santa Clara is Civic Plaza Apartments which is listed at $1,980, while the average apartment in Downtown Santa Clara costs $6,040.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown Santa Clara?

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 16 regular apartments in Downtown Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara?

Cheap apartments in Downtown Santa Clara have an average cost of $302 which is $5,738 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown Santa Clara.

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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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.

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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.

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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.