Top Rated Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Diego, CA from $500 (29 Rentals)

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Top Rated Apartments in San Diego.

Cheap Apartments in San Diego.

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The Rive San Diego
2 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

The Rive San Diego

6345 El Cajon BlvdSan Diego, CA 92115
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Park 12 Podium
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Park 12 Podium

202 Park BlvdSan Diego, CA 92101
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Westbrook Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Westbrook Apartments

592 Ammunition RdSan Diego, CA 92028
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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

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Hollywood Park Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Hollywood Park Apartments

2404-2412 Fairmount AveSan Diego, CA 92105
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4345 McClintock St
2 Bedroom Apartments

4345 McClintock St

4345 McClintock StSan Diego, CA 92105
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  • Smoke Free
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Coral Bay Summit
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Coral Bay Summit

3103-3171 Clairemont DrSan Diego, CA 92117
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Torre Del Mar
1 Bedroom Apartments

Torre Del Mar

4925 Del Mar AveSan Diego, CA 92107
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66th Street
1 Bedroom Apartments

66th Street

630-636 66th StSan Diego, CA 92114
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J Street Flats
Studio Apartments

J Street Flats

222 J StSan Diego, CA 92101
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Santa Fe Villas
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Santa Fe Villas

3912 Albatross StSan Diego, CA 92103
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233 20th St
Studio Apartments

233 20th St

233 20th StSan Diego, CA 92102
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San Diego's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about San Diego and the best places to live with original content written by our , Local Expert Hayden Goldberg

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The Continental
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

The Continental

320 W Cedar StSan Diego, CA 92101
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Encelia Cota Vera
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Encelia Cota Vera

1910 Encelia CirChula Vista, CA 91913
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Oakdale Apartments
2 Bedroom Apartments

Oakdale Apartments

1390 Oakdale AveEl Cajon, CA 92021
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7516 Parkway Dr
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

7516 Parkway Dr

7516 Parkway DrLa Mesa, CA 91942
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  • Utilities Included

Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants

Read our practical guide to landlord and tenant rights. Understand protected classes, reasonable accommodations, and legal exceptions to prevent housing discrimination.

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Grove Lofts
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Grove Lofts

8465 BroadwayLemon Grove, CA 91945
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The Mark At Bonita
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

The Mark At Bonita

3240-3248 Bonita RdChula Vista, CA 91910
Property Rating
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San Diego, CA Local Guide

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.

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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

San Diego, CA Area Reviews

  • Parks
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  • Cost of Living
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Hayden4+ years in San Diego

March 6, 2025

San 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 $1,295.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in San Diego?

The cheapest apartment in San Diego is Tenney which is listed at $1,292, while the average apartment in San Diego costs $5,231.

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 1,391 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 $564 which is $4,667 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.

decorative image for Top 10 Most Affordable Neighborhoods in San Diego: A Local Real Estate Expert Guide article

Top 10 Most Affordable Neighborhoods in San Diego: A Local Real Estate Expert Guide

Written by: Hayden Goldberg

Aloha! I’m Hayden, your local San Diego Realtor and relocation expert with ApartmentHomeLiving.com.

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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Written by: Sandy Baker

Making the decision to rent is exciting and terrifying at the same time. For many people, there are a lot of unknowns.

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Rise of Digital Nomads: Remote Work Tips for Apartment Renters

Written by: Brandie Parton

As a digital nomad, you no longer call a set address or office building your home for eight hours of the day or more.

decorative image for Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants article

Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everyone needs a place to live and to call home. For decades, the federal government has established protections to ensure that individuals and families can find housing free from discriminatory barriers.