Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Berkeley Neighborhood of Berkeley, CA from $500 (38 Rentals)

How Many Bedrooms?Done
Select your price rangeDone
Lifestyle Matching SearchDone
By AmenitiesDone
By Community TypeDone
Features and AvailabilityDone
Done

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

San Francisco's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about San Francisco and the best places to live with original content written by our San Francisco, CA Local Expert Shannon Hilson

close
View Me
Evans Manor
1 Bedroom Apartments

Evans Manor

2316 Haste StBerkeley, CA 94704
Student Housing
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
2731 Durant Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

2731 Durant Ave

2731 Durant AveBerkeley, CA 94704
Student Housing
close
View Me
Oregon Park Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

Oregon Park Apartments

1425 Oregon StBerkeley, CA 94702
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
2210 MLK
5 to 6 Bedroom Apartments

2210 MLK

2210 Martin Luther King Jr WayBerkeley, CA 94704
close
View Me
Roosevelt
1 Bedroom Apartments

Roosevelt

2132 Roosevelt AveBerkeley, CA 94703
close
View Me
2618 College
1 to 5 Bedroom Apartments

2618 College

2618 College AveBerkeley, CA 94704
close
View Me
2225 Hearst
4 to 6 Bedroom Apartments

2225 Hearst

2225 Hearst AveBerkeley, CA 94709
Student Housing
close
View Me
2620 Regent
4 to 5 Bedroom Apartments

2620 Regent

2620 Regent StBerkeley, CA 94704
close
View Me
Durant Park Apartment
Studio Apartments

Durant Park Apartment

2226-2230 Durant AveBerkeley, CA 94704
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
2115 Haste St
1 Bedroom Apartments

2115 Haste St

2115 Haste StBerkeley, CA 94704
close
View Me
1770 La Loma
1 Bedroom Apartments

1770 La Loma

1770 La Loma AveBerkeley, CA 94709
Student Housing
close
View Me
1951 Chestnut St
Studio Apartments

1951 Chestnut St

1951 Chestnut StBerkeley, CA 94702
close
View Me
2322 Haste St
Studio Apartments

2322 Haste St

2322 Haste StBerkeley, CA 94704
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
2218 Haste St
Studio Apartments

2218 Haste St

2218 Haste StBerkeley, CA 94704
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
Hillegas Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Hillegas Apartments

2530 Hillegass AveBerkeley, CA 94704
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
2227 Carleton St
3 Bedroom Apartments

2227 Carleton St

2227 Carleton StBerkeley, CA 94704

Downtown Berkeley, Berkeley, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown Berkeley Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Berkeley area of San Francisco, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at SHARED & PRIVATE Dorm Style Units Available priced from $795. Student | Identity Logan Park has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 3 Beds apartment currently listed from $849. Here are the most affordable Downtown Berkeley apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
SHARED & PRIVATE Dorm Style Units Available1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$795
Student | Identity Logan ParkSelect 143BR,3BA$849
2731 Durant Ave1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$895
Aquatic @ U0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$997
The BerkArch D14BR,1BA$999
Spectra Southside (Student)Single Deluxe - S1BR,1BA$1,165
Rise at Berkeley0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,297
K Street Flats2BD, 1BTH S2BR,1BA$1,488
Ace Berkeley2BR/2B - Deluxe - B102BR,2BA$1,575
Hub BancroftStudio DStudio,1BA$1,589

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Berkeley, CA

As of March 30, 2025 the best value apartment in the Downtown Berkeley area is the $3.00 price per square foot 2BR/2.0BA Model at Parker Villa Apartments in the in the Downtown Berkeley neighborhood starting from $2,995. The second greatest value Downtown Berkeley apartment is the Private Bedroom & Bathroom in 2B2B Model at RUMI at King starting at $1,918 with a $2.02 price per square foot in the Downtown Berkeley neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Berkeley apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Parker Villa Apartments2BR/2.0BA2BR,2BA$3.00
RUMI at KingPrivate Bedroom & Bathroom in 2B2B2BR,2BA$2.02
2627 Hillegass Avenue2 Bedroom 1 Bath2BR,1BA$3.29
2232 Blake Street2BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$3.33
1807 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Unit #C1807 Martin Luther King Jr Way1BR,1BA$2.70
Piedmont Palace3 Beds, 2 Baths3BR,2BA$2.10
2112 Ashby Ave2112 Ashby AveStudio ,1BA$3.22
Hub BancroftStudio DStudio ,1BA$3.28
SHARED & PRIVATE Dorm Style Units Available1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.89
Aquatic @ U0BR/1.0BAStudio ,1BA$2.69

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 Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

Ranked #5

Among neighborhoods in Berkeley, CA for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

decorative image of woman handing cat to small boy

Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you Lifestyle Ratings of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, including Berkeley. Lifestyle Ratings show you the best fit for your needs and interests. This takes in many factors including our Star Ratings to compare for outdoor amenities like tennis courts, luxury amenities, kid and pet-friendly communities, availability of transit options, in addition to floorplans, availablity, and pricing. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.

Getting Around the Downtown Berkeley Neighborhood in Berkeley, CA

Walk Score®

97 / 100

Walker’s Paradise

Daily errands do not require a car

Bike Score®

98 / 100

Biker's Paradise

Daily errands can be accomplished on a bike

Transit Score®

71 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit is convenient for most trips

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Berkeley Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Berkeley?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Berkeley is under $1,589.

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

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Berkeley is SHARED & PRIVATE Dorm Style Units Available which is listed at $795, while the average apartment in Downtown Berkeley costs $13,995.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown Berkeley?

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 331 regular apartments in Downtown Berkeley 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 Berkeley?

Cheap apartments in Downtown Berkeley have an average cost of $3,327 which is $10,668 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown Berkeley.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

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.

decorative image for A San Francisco Local Expert’s Guide to the Top Budget-Friendly Bay Area Neighborhoods to Rent article

A San Francisco Local Expert’s Guide to the Top Budget-Friendly Bay Area Neighborhoods to Rent

Written by: Shannon Hilson

If you’re anything like me, the thought of San Francisco is synonymous with concepts like creativity, character, and quirky local style.

decorative image for Understanding Amenity Fees: Know Where You Might Be Able to Save Money article

Understanding Amenity Fees: Know Where You Might Be Able to Save Money

Written by: Amber Kanuckel

With the rising costs of housing, a lot of renters are asking this question: Is it possible to opt out of various amenities that your rental property offers so that you can avoid paying the fees.

decorative image for Renting Smart: Lease Basics Every Renter Needs article

Renting Smart: Lease Basics Every Renter Needs

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Often, in the excitement of finding a new place to live, there’s a rush to make it happen, and - too often - a new tenant signs a lease without reading it carefully.

decorative image for Battling the Butts: Your Guide to the Reality of Smoke-Free Renting article

Battling the Butts: Your Guide to the Reality of Smoke-Free Renting

Written by: Andrea Lee Negroni, JD

While many apartment buildings are “no smoking” properties, it’s hard to know exactly how many. In 2017, the National Apartment Association reported more than half of rental properties had smoke free policies.