Cheap Apartments for Rent by Owner in Chicago, IL from $400 (90 Rentals)

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

Chicago's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about Chicago and the best places to live with original content written by our Chicago, IL Local Expert Nicole Harms

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Chicago, IL Local Guide

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Getting Around Chicago, IL

Walk Score®

83 / 100

Very Walkable

Most errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

77 / 100

Very Bikeable

Biking is convenient for most trips

Transit Score®

66 / 100

Good Transit

Many nearby public transportation options

What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?

  • Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
  • Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
  • Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Chicago Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Chicago?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Chicago is under $775.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Chicago?

The cheapest apartment in Chicago is 1155 W 83rd St which is listed at $750, while the average apartment in Chicago costs $3,548.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Chicago?

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 2,855 regular apartments in Chicago 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 Chicago?

Cheap apartments in Chicago have an average cost of $402 which is $3,146 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Chicago.

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.

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A Local Expert’s Guide To 10 Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent in Chicago

Written by: Nicole Harms

I’m Nicole, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Chicago, IL. As a resident of the Chicago area for over 20 years, I’ve learned which neighborhoods are great and which are best avoided.

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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.

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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.

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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.