Cheap Apartments for Rent in Washington, DC from $400 (927 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Washington.

The DC Housing Strategy: Balancing Career & Lifestyle Near Top Washington DC Area Employers

Renting in the D.C. area? Explore Takoma, Brookland, Glover Park, Charles Village, and more. Find a convenient, high-quality home near your major employer.

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2509 10th St NE
$935
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$935
Total Monthly Price
$935
4 Bedroom Apartment Available Now

2509 10th St NE

2509 10th St NEWashington, DC 20018
Affordability
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i5 Union Market Co-Living
Rent Specials
$951 - $3,120
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$844 - $3,013
Required Monthly Fees
$107
Total Monthly Price
$951 - $3,120
2 to 4 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

i5 Union Market Co-Living

320 Florida Ave NEWashington, DC 20002
Furnished
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour

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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The Hecht Warehouse
Rent Specials
$1,057 - $7,138
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,036 - $7,117
Required Monthly Fees
$21
Total Monthly Price
$1,057 - $7,138
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

The Hecht Warehouse

1401 New York Ave NEWashington, DC 20002
Affordability
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour
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2509 10th St NE, Unit #A
$1,065
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,065
Total Monthly Price
$1,065
4 Bedroom Apartment Available Apr 4

2509 10th St NE, Unit #A

2509 10th St NEWashington, DC 20018
Cost Per Sq.Ft.
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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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Garden Village
Rent Specials
$1,175 - $1,445
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,175 - $1,445
Total Monthly Price
$1,175 - $1,445
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Garden Village

1720 Trenton Pl SEWashington, DC 20020
Affordability
  • Verified
  • Utilities Included
  • Low Income

Discover DC: The Insider's Guide to Renting in Our Nation's Capital

Explore Washington DC like a local with this insider's guide to renting in the Nation's Capital. Explore the area's best neighborhoods, hidden gems, and diverse, delicious food scene.

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The Woodner
Rent Specials
$1,240 - $2,182
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,240 - $2,182
Total Monthly Price
$1,240 - $2,182
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

The Woodner

3636 16th St NWWashington, DC 20010
Student Housing
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • Utilities Included

Washington's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about Washington and the best places to live with original content written by Local Expert Steve Lilly

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Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 19

Washington, DC Local Guide

Photo of Justin Habersaat - Editing Staff
Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Washington, DC

Pricing Updated: 03/05/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Washington, DC area range in price from $491 to $22,623 with an overall median price of $5,360. The three Washington neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Heritage Glen at $1,616, Marlton at $1,616, and Putters Choice at $1,616. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Washington Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Heritage Glen$1,769$1,6167
Marlton$1,769$1,6166
Putters Choice$1,769$1,6166
North Forestville$1,895$1,059101
Forest Manor$1,968$1,050197
Walker Mill$1,983$1,05965
Berkshire$1,989$1,059240
Indian Spring Terrace$1,995$1,19857
International Corridor$2,039$1,17995
Franklin Knolls$2,039$83341

Cheapest Available Washington Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Washington, DC is a 2 Beds unit found at Oxford Manor in the Southeast Washington neighborhood priced from $491. 555 in the Mall neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $719. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Washington apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Oxford ManorTwo Bedroom2BR,1BA$491
555Senior Housing Studio 1Studio,1BA$719
Gates of BallstonOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$750
Howard HillOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$763
Bracken SquareA11BR,1BA$800
Eagles Crossing Apartments1 Bdr Lg1BR,1BA$820
R Street Apartments1BR1BR,1BA$825
Greenwood Manor Apartments1 Bed, 1 Bath1BR,1BA$825
Parkside2x2 Shared2BR,2BA$850

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Washington, DC

As of March 05, 2026 the best value apartment in the Washington area is the $1.18 price per square foot 10102 Model at Avenel Gardens in the in the Northwest Park neighborhood starting from $2,705. The second greatest value Washington apartment is the Three Bedroom Model at The Residences at Forest Glen starting at $1,451 with a $1.17 price per square foot in the Rosemary Hills neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Washington apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Avenel Gardens101023BR,3BA$1.18
The Residences at Forest GlenThree Bedroom3BR,2BA$1.17
University View4 BEDROOM, 2 BATH XL TOWER 14BR,2BA$0.95
1122 Owen Place NE, Unit Frontbedroom1122 Owen Place NE1BR,1BA$1.25
Central Gardens I3 Bedroom3BR,2BA$1.34
Fox Club2 Bed 1.5 Bath Den MS2BR,1.5BA$1.37
Parkside2x22BR,2BA$1.31
2200 Hunter Pl SE, Unit 1012200 Hunter Pl SE3BR,1BA$1.00
Windham Creek11BR,1BA$1.30
Howard HillTwo Bedroom2BR,1BA$1.16

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

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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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Rent Smart in Washington DC: Best Neighborhoods to Rent for University Students

Discover the top neighborhoods for university students to rent in Washington D.C. Find affordable, convenient, and vibrant areas near major campuses on ApartmentHomeLiving.com.

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Washington Overview

You may know Washington D.C., the capital of the United States, primarily as the seat of power in the American government. However, besides its fame for playing host to the White House and Capitol Hill, D.C. is also a cultural mecca. It is one of the most globally diverse places to live in the world, making the social and artistic scenes varied and plentiful. From historical monuments to boozy, late-night cafes, DC life is definitely not all work and no play, though the city is a humming business center by day. The District of Columbia can be a wonderful place for families to grow, in a variety of habitats. Historic neighborhood townhouses, high-rise condos and more line the streets. If you’re looking for an urban lifestyle and a dynamic place to live, finding you new home among the many wonderful Washington DC apartments is worth a look.

Why live in Washington, DC?

There’s a sense of excitement in the air a lot of the time in Washington D.C. The ethnic and cultural diversity add to the vital social scene. The global leaders operating around you add to the sense of historical importance of the place. And the world-class universities bring young people to keep the city vibrant, and attract major artists, scientists and thinkers to the scene. No matter what neighborhood in D.C. you live in, you’re likely to be neighbors with someone who does something cool or interesting. D.C. has history, an impressive downtown district, charming brownstone blocks, major industry, and tons of free public parks, monuments and museums. The global cuisine is delicious, and there is culture all around you. What’s not to love?

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Washington Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Washington?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Washington is under $850.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Washington?

The cheapest apartment in Washington is Gates of Ballston which is listed at $750, while the average apartment in Washington costs $5,360.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Washington?

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 48,836 regular apartments in Washington 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 Washington?

Cheap apartments in Washington have an average cost of $612 which is $4,748 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Washington.

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.

Helpful Local Expert Guides

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A Washington DC Local Expert's Guide to Top Affordable Neighborhoods for Renters in the DC Metro

Written by: Steve Lilly

I'm Steve, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Washington, DC.

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Rent Smart in Washington DC: Best Neighborhoods to Rent for University Students

Written by: Steve Lilly

I'm Steve, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Washington, DC.

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The DC Housing Strategy: Balancing Career & Lifestyle Near Top Washington DC Area Employers

Written by: Steve Lilly

I'm Steve, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Washington, D.C.

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Discover DC: The Insider's Guide to Renting in Our Nations Capital

Written by: Steve Lilly

Greetings from Washington, DC! I'm Stephen, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Washington, and I'd love to give you the inside scoop on a city that many people only think of in terms of visiting, not living in.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.

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18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting your next home can feel thrilling and overwhelming at the same time.

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A Renters Guide for Tips on Writing Your Notice for Not Renewing Your Apartment

Written by: Bob Mallory

Packing up everything you own to move is so stressful for many that ending your apartment lease can feel like a small or unimportant task. Ending your lease involves more than simply turning over your keys on the last day.

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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.