
Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Diego, CA from $500 with Utilities Included (189 Rentals)
Apartments in San Diego where your utility payments are included in your rent.
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in San Diego.


University Gardens

Villa Hermosa I

Astro Vista Apartments

Luther Tower - 55+ Affordable Community

The Marquis at Hillcrest

Horton 4th Avenue
Who Pays for Utilities? Landlord or Tenant?
Your Guide to Understanding Who is Responsible for Which Utilities for When Renting. Click Below to Read More
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
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.
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 | $2,413 | $278 | $8,400 |
San Diego 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,880 | $768 | $10,000+ |
San Diego 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,710 | $855 | $10,000+ |
San Diego 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,746 | $930 | $10,000+ |
San Diego 4 Bedroom Apartments | $4,313 | $850 | $10,000+ |
San Diego 5 Bedroom Apartments | $6,536 | $792 | $10,000+ |
Explore San Diego
San Diego, CA Local Guide
- San Diego Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
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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 $1,400.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in San Diego?
The cheapest apartment in San Diego is The Commodore Apartments which is listed at $1,310, 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 1,045 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 $469 which is $4,762 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.