Cheap Apartments for Rent in Oakland, CA from $400 (129 Rentals)

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

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.

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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535 30th St
$1,500 - $1,975
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,500 - $1,975

Total Monthly Price
$1,500 - $1,975
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartment Available Now

535 30th St

535 30th StOakland, CA 94609
Affordability
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1596 Tucker St
$1,600
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,600

Total Monthly Price
$1,600
1 Bedroom Apartment Available Now

1596 Tucker St

1596 Tucker StOakland, CA 94603
Furnished

Bay Living Like a Local: The Insider's Guide to Life and Renting in San Francisco, CA

Unlock the personality of Renting and Living in the City by the Bay. Learn where to eat the best tacos, find hidden views, and embrace the charming contradictions of San Francisco life.

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Mark Twain Homes
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Mark Twain Homes

3525 Lyon AveOakland, CA 94601
Senior Living
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The Grove
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

The Grove

2600-2685 Ec Reems CtOakland, CA 94605
  • Utilities Included
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Brookfield Place
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Brookfield Place

555 98th AveOakland, CA 94603
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668 28th St
1 to 7 Bedroom Apartments

668 28th St

668 28th StOakland, CA 94609
Student Housing

Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers

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Artthaus SIX
Studio Apartments

Artthaus SIX

825 6th AveOakland, CA 94606
Corporate Housing
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715 Peralta St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

715 Peralta St

715 Peralta StOakland, CA 94607
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Hillcastle Apartments
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Hillcastle Apartments

1431 Jackson StOakland, CA 94612
  • Utilities Included
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Oakland 34 Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Oakland 34 Apartments

10920 Macarthur BlvdOakland, CA 94605
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included
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Nook on Valdez
Studio Apartments

Nook on Valdez

2425 Valdez StOakland, CA 94612
  • Utilities Included
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Electric Lofts
Studio Apartments

Electric Lofts

2415 Valdez StOakland, CA 94612

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.

Oakland, CA Local Guide

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Written By:
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Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Oakland, CA

Pricing Updated: 04/04/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Oakland, CA area range in price from $748 to $259,501 with an overall median price of $5,107. The three Oakland neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Old Oakland at $1,917, Fruitvale at $1,395, and Santa Fe at $1,150. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Oakland Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Old Oakland$3,295$1,9173
Fruitvale$3,300$1,39520
Santa Fe$3,495$1,15015
Castro Valley NE Outer Hayward$3,995$1,424210
Chinatown$4,078$1,89556
Jack London Square$4,078$1,24557
East Oakland$4,304$850326
Lakeside$4,337$1,245116
Uptown Oakland$4,337$895141
Jingletown$4,397$850168

Cheapest Available Oakland Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Oakland, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Brookfield Place in the Laqua Manor neighborhood priced from $779. Claridge Hotel LP. in the West Oakland neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $895. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Oakland apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Brookfield Place1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$779
Claridge Hotel LP.SROStudio,1BA$895
Collab@Oxford2X12BR,1BA$949
HeliosShared Double1BR,1BA$950
Casa ZimbabweRidge House Triples1BR,1BA$1,030
The Lair3BR/2.0BA3BR,2BA$1,099
2737 Durant Avenue0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,125
La PeraltaSRO with BathStudio,1BA$1,195
Vanguard Apartments1bed,1bath1BR,1BA$1,200

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Oakland, CA

As of April 04, 2026 the best value apartment in the Oakland area is the $1.31 price per square foot Loft 4 Model at 1080 Lofts in the in the Fruitvale Station neighborhood starting from $2,355. The second greatest value Oakland apartment is the Live/Work lofts Model at Vulcan Lofts starting at $2,050 with a $1.23 price per square foot in the St. Elizabeth neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Oakland apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
1080 LoftsLoft 4Studio ,1BA$1.31
Vulcan LoftsLive/Work loftsStudio ,1BA$1.23
Oakland Heights - 55+ Active Adult ApartmentsTwo Bedroom2BR,1BA$1.44
2737 Durant Avenue0BR/1.0BAStudio ,1BA$0.95
Hub Bancroft2x2 A2BR,2BA$1.83
Collab@Oxford3X23BR,2BA$1.62
2401 Park Blvd unit 3a, Unit Park Blvd2401 Park Blvd unit 3a3BR,1.5BA$1.12
Vanguard Apartments1bed,1bath1BR,1BA$1.60
RUMI at King0BR/1.0BAStudio ,1BA$0.92
Brookfield Place1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$1.23

10 Hidden Costs of Renting You Should Budget for Before Signing a Lease

Avoid financial stress when renting. Learn about the 10 most common hidden costs—from pet fees to utilities—you must budget for before you sign a lease.

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Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

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Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco

A Local Experts guide to the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods Near Colleges in the Bay area for affordable living. Find your perfect San Francisco Student apartment, condo, or rental home today at ApartmentHomeliving.com

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Oakland Overview

There’s a lot that could be said to convince you that renting apartments in Oakland would be one of the best decisions of your life. Maybe you’d be interested in the fact that Oakland is a smart city, it’s one of the top cities when counting residents with bachelor’s degrees. Maybe you’d be intrigued by the fact that Oakland is known for its ethnic diversity, as well as its sustainability practices. Many more facts could be spewed at you, and they’d all add up to one thing—Oakland is an awesome, hip place to live.

Why live in Oakland, CA?

Oakland is a city like no other. It lies incredibly close to another major city, San Francisco, and yet it retains its own unique identity. Oakland is a city of diversity and political activism, industry and artistry, culture, and sports teams to rally behind. It’s also known for its food, its culinary culture is likely influenced by the city’s diversity as the cuisine often features international foods, as well as locally grown produce. Oakland truly has its own place in this world, and living in apartments in Oakland would allow you to become a member of this exciting and thriving city.

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Oakland Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Oakland?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Oakland is under $1,200.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Oakland?

The cheapest apartment in Oakland is Brookfield Place which is listed at $779, while the average apartment in Oakland costs $5,107.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Oakland?

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 227 regular apartments in Oakland 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 Oakland?

Cheap apartments in Oakland have an average cost of $1,066 which is $4,041 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Oakland.

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

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

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Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco

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Naturally, going away to college or university is super exciting in and of itself. It’s the prelude to the rest of your life, not to mention an unforgettable experience all its own.

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Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers

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Deciding to move to San Francisco for work is a huge deal. San Fran is exciting and just weird enough to let you know you’re in for an amazing adventure, right from day one.

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San Francisco is so much more than just postcard-perfect views of cable cars and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.

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Renting your next home can feel thrilling and overwhelming at the same time.

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A Renters Guide for Tips on Writing Your Notice for Not Renewing Your Apartment

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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.