Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Columbia City Neighborhood of Seattle, WA from $500 (42 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Columbia City area of Seattle.

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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Arlo
Rent Specials
$1,692 - $3,212
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,692 - $3,212
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Arlo

4720 Rainier Ave SSeattle, WA 98118
Affordability
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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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property at 3811 43rd Ave S

$1,500 - $2,100

1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

3811 43rd Ave S

SeattleWA98118

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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Dakota
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Dakota

3642 33rd Ave SSeattle, WA 98144
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Pax Futura
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Pax Futura

3702 S Hudson StSeattle, WA 98118
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3435
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

3435

3435 Rainier Ave SSeattle, WA 98144
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Rainier Vista
1 to 5 Bedroom Apartments

Rainier Vista

4616 Martin Luther King Jr Way SSeattle, WA 98108

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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Kenny Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Kenny Apartments

5913 Rainier Ave SSeattle, WA 98118
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Pearl Street (3919)
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Pearl Street (3919)

3911-3927 S Pearl StSeattle, WA 98118
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Zen Condo Homes
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Zen Condo Homes

5014 39th Ave SSeattle, WA 98118

The Emerald City's Secrets: A 30-Year Local's Guide to Renting in Seattle

Dive into Seattle's fascinating history—from its 'swampy mess' origins to the birthplace of grunge. Explore areas to rent like Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, and the new Overlook Walk.

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Showing Results 1-42, Page 1 of 1

Columbia City, Seattle, WA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Columbia City Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Columbia City area of Seattle, WA is a Studio unit found at Filipino Community Village (Affordable, 55+) priced from $594. Courtland Place has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $880. Here are the most affordable Columbia City apartments for rent in Seattle, WA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Filipino Community Village (Affordable, 55+)Studio Homes for Seniors 55+Studio,1BA$594
Courtland PlaceOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,1BA$880
SPOKANE AT RAINIER COURT a 55+ Affordable CommunityOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,1BA$950
Hanford StudiosStudioStudio,1BA$1,000
Columbia Gardens a 55+ Affordable CommunityOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,1BA$1,085
NOCO ApartmentsStudio FStudio,1BA$1,099
The Vale StudiosContemporary Studio Apartments - Modern and Aff...Studio,1BA$1,100
DakotaThree Bedroom Two Bath3BR,2BA$1,292
Pax FuturaLarge StudioStudio,1BA$1,395
34351BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1,395

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Columbia City, WA

As of May 25, 2026 the best value apartment in the Columbia City area is the $1.84 price per square foot 2 Bedroom 1 Bath - 80% AMI Model at Kingway Apartments in the in the Mercer Heights neighborhood starting from $1,700. The second greatest value Columbia City apartment is the 1BR/1.0BA Model at Zen Condo Homes starting at $1,905 with a $2.18 price per square foot in the Mercer Heights neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Columbia City apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Kingway Apartments2 Bedroom 1 Bath - 80% AMI2BR,1BA$1.84
Zen Condo Homes1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$2.18
SPOKANE AT RAINIER COURT a 55+ Affordable CommunityTwo Bedroom One Bath2BR,1BA$1.79
Courtland PlaceTwo Bedroom One Bath2BR,1BA$1.41
Columbia Gardens a 55+ Affordable CommunityTwo Bedroom One Bath2BR,1BA$2.05
DakotaOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,1BA$1.89
The Link Apartments1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.27
Columbia City1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$2.69
34351BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$2.33
Filipino Community Village (Affordable, 55+)Studio Homes for Seniors 55+Studio ,1BA$1.70

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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Seattle Apartment Guide: Find Your Rental Near Tech Hubs like Amazon, Google, and Adobe

Cut down on your commute! Discover Seattle's top neighborhoods to rent near major employers like Amazon, Meta, and Fred Hutchinson. Find your ideal work-life balance in the Emerald City.

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Picking the Perfect Seattle Neighborhood for College Life

Learn About the Best Neighborhoods to Rent Near College Campuses in Seattle, WA | Find Seattle Off-Campus Student Housing at ApartmentHomeLiving.com

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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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Best Local Schools in
Columbia City, Seattle, WA

School data provided by Great Schools

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Columbia City Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Columbia City?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Columbia City is under $1,395.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Columbia City?

The cheapest apartment in Columbia City is Filipino Community Village (Affordable, 55+) which is listed at $634, while the average apartment in Columbia City costs $7,320.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Columbia 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 46 regular apartments in Columbia 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.

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Picking the Perfect Seattle Neighborhood for College Life

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I'm Sharon, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Seattle, Washington. Whether you're new to Seattle or grew up here, the neighborhood where you live makes a huge difference while attending college.

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Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters

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