Finding an apartment
How do I find a cheap apartment?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
Widen what you are willing to accept on the things that drive price the most: location, size, age of the building and timing. Look one or two neighborhoods out from the popular areas, consider older buildings and smaller units, search in the slower winter months, and look for private landlords and rooms, not just complexes.
Rent follows demand, so the cheapest options are usually the ones most renters overlook. A few places to start:
- Neighborhoods next to the trendy ones, a few extra minutes by transit or car.
- Older buildings without a gym or pool, which often rent for noticeably less than new construction nearby.
- Basement, garden-level or top-floor walk-up units.
- Duplexes and small buildings owned by individuals, who may keep rent steady for a good tenant.
- A room in a shared house, if you are open to roommates.
- Income-restricted or affordable housing programs, if you qualify. Waitlists can be long, so apply early.
Compare the full monthly cost, not just the listed rent. A cheaper apartment with a long commute, no laundry and high electric bills can cost more than a slightly pricier one near work. And be wary of anything far below the local going rate: prices that look too good are one of the most common signs of a scam. The rental scams answers explain what to check.
Want the whole picture? Read How to Find an Apartment in Facebook Housing Groups.