
Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Diego, CA from $500 with Swimming Pool (36 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in San Diego.


The Presidio Apartments

Bella Vista

Hilltop Terrace

Overlook Point Apartments
It's time to soak up some sun!
One of the easiest and more obvious ways of enjoying the summer sun is to lounge out by your community pool. Learn a Few Rules to Keep in Mind while at the pool.

Vista Palms

1202 Pearl

Guava Gardens (62+ Senior Community)

The Glorias Apartments

The Ridge on Jackson Apartments

Indian Springs-RR

Westwood *$500 Off*

Chateau Spring Hill Apartments

Summer Creek Apartments

Hunter's Run Apartments

Woodlawn West Apartments

Winter Gardens Manor

Crestwood

521 Park Way

The Greentree Apartments

Palm Towers Apartments

7111 Waite Dr
San Diego, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in San Diego?
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
San Diego Studio Apartments | $2,470 | $1,033 | $10,000+ |
San Diego 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,913 | $768 | $10,000+ |
San Diego 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,706 | $855 | $10,000+ |
San Diego 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,736 | $979 | $10,000+ |
San Diego 4 Bedroom Apartments | $4,334 | $850 | $10,000+ |
San Diego 5 Bedroom Apartments | $6,890 | $917 | $10,000+ |
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San Diego, CA Local Guide
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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.
Getting Around San Diego, CA
Walk Score®
74 / 100
Very Walkable
Most errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
57 / 100
Bikeable
Some bike infrastructure
Transit Score®
46 / 100
Some Transit
A few 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.
San Diego, CA Area Reviews
Hayden • 4+ years in San Diego
March 6, 2025San Diego is an amazing city for families, young professionals, and retirees!
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap San Diego Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in San Diego?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in San Diego is under $1,450.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in San Diego?
The cheapest apartment in San Diego is Terrace Gardens Apartments - Seniors 55+ which is listed at $1,400, while the average apartment in San Diego costs $5,295.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in San Diego?
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 1,054 regular apartments in San Diego 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 San Diego?
Cheap apartments in San Diego have an average cost of $443 which is $4,852 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in San Diego.
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.

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.

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.

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.

How Your Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
If you’re anything like most people, housing costs represent a huge chunk of your monthly budget. On top of that, moving can be both a stressful and expensive affair.