Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Washington Neighborhood of Washington, DC from $700 (92 Rentals)

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

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The Baystate
Rent Specials
$1,525 - $2,250
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,525 - $2,250
Total Monthly Price
$1,525 - $2,250
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Contact Us For Availability

The Baystate

1701 Mass Ave NWWashington, DC 20036
Student Housing
  • Verified
  • Utilities Included
  • 3D Tour

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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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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950 25th St NW, Unit 801S
$1,800
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,800
Total Monthly Price
$1,800
Studio Apartment Available Aug 8

950 25th St NW, Unit 801S

950 25th St NWWashington, DC 20037
Affordability
property at 2141 I St NW

$1,600 - $2,100

Studio To 1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

2141 I St NW

WashingtonDC20037

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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2141 I St NW, Unit 601
$1,850
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,850
Total Monthly Price
$1,850
Studio Apartment Available Jul 15

2141 I St NW, Unit 601

2141 I St NWWashington, DC 20037
Affordability
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1420 N St NW
$1,850
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,850
Total Monthly Price
$1,850
1 Bedroom Apartment Available Jul 1

1420 N St NW

1420 N St NWWashington, DC 20005
Affordability
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property at 940 25th St NW

$1,850 - $1,950

Studio Rentals

Available Now

940 25th St NW

WashingtonDC20037

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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property at 1601 18th St NW

$1,875 - $3,400

Studio To 1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

1601 18th St NW

WashingtonDC20009
property at 1300 N St NW

$1,900 - $2,575

Studio To 1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

1300 N St NW

WashingtonDC20005
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Balsa
Rent Specials
$1,923 - $5,061
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,923 - $5,061
Total Monthly Price
$1,923 - $5,061
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Balsa

1313 L St NWWashington, DC 20005
Student Housing
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour

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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Downtown Washington, Washington, DC Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown Washington Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Washington area of Washington, DC is a 1 Bed unit found at R Street Apartments priced from $825. 801 R Street Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $1,450. Here are the most affordable Downtown Washington apartments for rent in Washington, DC:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
R Street Apartments1BR1BR,1BA$825
801 R Street ApartmentsOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$1,450
Hodge on 7th - Senior Living1 Bed/1 Bath 1.1k - 50%1BR,1BA$1,457
Q Street ApartmentsESStudio,1BA$1,470
Channing E Phillips Homes1 Bedroom Jr.1BR,1BA$1,475
The Shelburne ApartmentsRenovated Studio 06 TierStudio,1BA$1,499
Rocksboro ApartmentsStudio 06 TierStudio,1BA$1,499
State House ApartmentsEFFStudio,1BA$1,505
Square 50The CapitolStudio,1BA$1,540
1715 P Street NW0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,599

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Washington, DC

As of June 28, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Washington area is the $2.73 price per square foot 817 6th St NW Model at 817 6th St NW, Unit B in the in the Mount Vernon Square neighborhood starting from $3,000. The second greatest value Downtown Washington apartment is the 2 bed / 2 bath Model at 2149 N St NW starting at $3,000 with a $3.00 price per square foot in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Washington apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
817 6th St NW, Unit B817 6th St NW2BR,2BA$2.73
2149 N St NW2 bed / 2 bath2BR,2BA$3.00
The Lansburgh1BR1BR,1BA$3.04
C H HoustonOne Bedroom Large1BR,1BA$3.01
601 24th StFurnished Private Room in 3 bed/1 bath Apt3BR,1BA$1.89
The ShayStudioStudio ,1BA$2.90
801 R Street ApartmentsTwo Bedroom2BR,1BA$2.70
Hodge on 7th - Senior Living1 Bed/1 Bath 1.1q - 60%1BR,1BA$2.99
Pennsylvania HouseStudioStudio ,1BA$2.95
Square 50The CapitolStudio ,1BA$2.91

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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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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Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you comprehensive Lifestyle Ratings of neighborhoods, cities, and rental properties across District of Columbia including Downtown Washington, Washington, and the greater Washington area. Lifestyle Ratings show you the best fit for your needs and interests. This takes in many factors including our Star Ratings to compare for the best outdoor access, luxury amenities, transit availability, pet-friendly communities, places that make kids happy, walking, and biking. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Washington Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Washington?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Washington is under $1,599.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Washington?

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Washington is R Street Apartments which is listed at $825, while the average apartment in Downtown Washington costs $7,499.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown 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 143 regular apartments in Downtown 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 Downtown Washington?

Cheap apartments in Downtown Washington have an average cost of $824 which is $6,675 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown 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.

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