Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown Neighborhood of Washington, DC from $700 (69 Rentals)

How Many Bedrooms?Done
Select your price rangeDone
to
Lifestyle Matching SearchDone
Learn more about Lifestyle Search
By AmenitiesDone
By Community TypeDone
Features and AvailabilityDone
Done

Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown area of Washington.

property at 1011 4th St NW

$1,230 - $1,260

1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Jan 1, 2026

1011 4th St NW

WashingtonDC20001

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.

Read Article

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.

Read Article
property at 1250 9th St NW

$1,490 - $1,520

Studio Rentals

Available Now

1250 9th St NW

WashingtonDC20001

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.

Read Article
property at 1 Scott Cir NW

$1,700 - $2,000

Studio To 1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

1 Scott Cir NW

WashingtonDC20036

Washington's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

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

Read Article

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.

Read Article
Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 2

Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown, Washington, DC Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown area of Washington, DC is a Studio unit found at King Towers priced from $947. 555 has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,246. Here are the most affordable Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown apartments for rent in Washington, DC:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
King TowersStudioStudio,1BA$947
555Senior Housing S2Studio,1BA$1,246
Liberty PlaceStudio AStudio,1BA$1,369
1500 MassFPA 456Studio,1BA$1,455
PinnacleS1Studio,1BA$1,455
Capitol Park TowerStudioStudio,1BA$1,461
Banner LaneBanner Lane I S6Studio,1BA$1,500
The IrisS2AFFStudio,1BA$1,508
The BelgardM2Studio,1BA$1,519
MiramarSTUDIOStudio,1BA$1,530

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown, DC

As of December 27, 2025 the best value apartment in the Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown area is the $2.74 price per square foot H Model at The Ashton at Judiciary Square in the in the Mount Vernon Square neighborhood starting from $7,436. The second greatest value Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown apartment is the 2 Bed/2 Bath Model at Historic Row Apartments starting at $3,850 with a $2.66 price per square foot in the Mount Vernon Square neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
The Ashton at Judiciary SquareH3BR,2BA$2.74
Historic Row Apartments2 Bed/2 Bath2BR,2BA$2.66
1015 P St NW, Unit 1PH1015 P St NW2BR,1BA$3.09
The Lansburgh1BR1BR,1BA$3.04
Carmel PlazaTwo Bedroom2BR,1BA$3.05
Tribeca NOMAA31BR,1BA$2.91
Meridian at Gallery PlaceCathedral1BR,1BA$3.10
603 G St SW, Unit BasementFurnishedAPT603 G St SW1BR,1BA$2.27
The KileyAnthem A1BR,1BA$3.18
Capitol Park TowerStudioStudio ,1BA$3.04

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.

Read Article
Decorative image

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.

Read Article
Decorative image

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.

Read Article
Decorative image

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.

Read Article
Decorative image

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.

decorative image of people with a giant lease agreement

Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown, Washington, DC

Ranked #13

Among cities in District of Columbia for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

decorative image of woman handing cat to small boy

Best Local Schools in
Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown, Washington, DC

School data provided by Great Schools

Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you Lifestyle Ratings of neighborhoods, cities and towns, and rental properties across District of Columbia and customized analysis for Central Washington. LifeStyle Ratings are the best way to sort through finding a place to live - beyond price and floorplan. This takes in many factors including rankings of the best places for the best proximity to parks and outdoor amenities, luxury amenities, pet-friendly features, places that make kids happy, proximity to transit, and more. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown is under $1,530.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown?

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown is King Towers which is listed at $1,127, while the average apartment in Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown costs $6,755.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown?

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 460 regular apartments in Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown 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 Penn Quarter Chinatown?

Cheap apartments in Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown have an average cost of $1,467 which is $5,288 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown Penn Quarter Chinatown.

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

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

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.

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

Written by: Steve Lilly

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

decorative image for The DC Housing Strategy: Balancing Career & Lifestyle Near Top Washington DC Area Employers article

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.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

decorative image for How to Make Your Apartment Holiday-Ready: Renter-Friendly Tips article

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.

decorative image for Renting with Roommates: Realistic Expectations for Shared Lease article

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.

decorative image for Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know article

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.

decorative image for How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money article

How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everything is a negotiation in real estate!