Cheap Apartments for Rent in Washington, DC from $500 (1,141 Rentals)

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

D.C. Metro Area Deep Dive: Comparing the Top Neighborhoods for Cost, Commute, and Quality of Life

Renting Near Washington, D.C.? Discover practical steps to save money, shorten your commute, and find a city with a distinct personality that matches your needs as a professional or family.

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property at 4239 1st St SE

$1,056 - $1,205

1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

4239 1st St SE

WashingtonDC20032

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

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,057 - $7,138
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

The Hecht Warehouse

1401 New York Ave NEWashington, DC 20002
Affordability
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  • 3D Tour

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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Jetu
$1,130 - $1,397
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,130 - $1,397
Total Monthly Price
$1,130 - $1,397
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Jetu

869 21st St NEWashington, DC 20002
Affordability
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • Utilities Included

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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Garden Village
Rent Specials
$1,175
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

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

Garden Village

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

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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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: 07/20/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Washington, DC area range in price from $600 to $28,580 with an overall median price of $4,526. The three Washington neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Cheltenham Park at $1,400, 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
Cheltenham Park$1,731$1,4004
Marlton$1,769$1,6165
Putters Choice$1,769$1,6165
Heritage Glen$1,848$1,6166
Indian Spring Terrace$1,873$1,06831
Kilmarock$1,982$1,025139
Walker Mill$1,989$92967
North Forestville$1,998$1,059119
Berkshire$2,000$929247
Forest Manor$2,000$929192

Cheapest Available Washington Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Washington, DC is a 1 Bed unit found at The Residences at Forest Glen in the Rosemary Hills neighborhood priced from $776. Eagles Crossing Apartments in the Northeast Alexandria neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $785. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Washington apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Residences at Forest GlenOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$776
Eagles Crossing Apartments1 Bdr Lg1BR,1BA$785
R Street Apartments1BR1BR,1BA$825
Greenwood Manor Apartments1 Bed, 1 Bath1BR,1BA$825
Parkside2x2 Shared2BR,2BA$850
The Appleton at Spring Flats Senior 62+1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$948
Langston ViewsStudio1BR,1BA$950
Savannah2BR1302BR,1BA$963
Mayfair MansionsOne Bedroom- 1A1BR,1BA$974
Iverson Towers & Anton House Apartments1 Bedroom + 1 Bath1BR,1BA$998

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Washington, DC

As of July 20, 2026 the best value apartment in the Washington area is the $1.18 price per square foot 4x4 B Model at Hub College Park in the in the College Park neighborhood starting from $1,530. The second greatest value Washington apartment is the 2B Elderberry Model at Oaks at Oxon Hill starting at $1,643 with a $1.28 price per square foot in the Glassmanor 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.
Hub College Park4x4 B4BR,4BA$1.18
Oaks at Oxon Hill2B Elderberry2BR,1BA$1.28
Terrapin RowD34BR,4BA$1.09
Whitehall Square Apartments2 Bedrooms + 1.5 Baths2BR,1.5BA$1.35
Clover at The ParksPrivate Bedroom in Shared 3 Bed 2 Bath - G3BR,2BA$1.28
Parkside2x22BR,2BA$1.31
Iverson Towers & Anton House Apartments2 Bedrooms + 2 Baths2BR,2BA$1.41
Flower Branch Apartments2 Bedrooms + 1 Bath2BR,1BA$1.29
Top of the Hill Apartments1 Bedroom, 1 Bath1BR,1BA$1.39
1014 48th Pl NE1014 48th Pl NE1BR,1BA$1.39

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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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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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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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 $998.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Washington?

The cheapest apartment in Washington is The Residences at Forest Glen which is listed at $776, while the average apartment in Washington costs $4,526.

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 34,210 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 $628 which is $3,898 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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DC Metro Area Deep Dive: Comparing the Top Neighborhoods for Cost, Commute, and Quality of Life

Written by: Steve Lilly

If you're someone who keeps up with current events, it's understandable to hear about Washington, D.C. and immediately think "politics.

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

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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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Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

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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.

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There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

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How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

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Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.