Finding Cheap Apartments in Atlanta: A Practical Local Guide

Looking for cheap apartments in Atlanta can feel overwhelming, especially with rising rents and fast-moving listings. But with the right strategy, neighborhoods, and local resources, it’s still possible to find more affordable places to live in the city and nearby.

This guide walks through where to look, what “cheap” realistically means in Atlanta, and how to use local tools and programs to lower your housing costs.

What “Cheap Apartments in Atlanta” Really Means

In Atlanta, “cheap” is relative. A rent that feels low in Midtown might be high in Southwest Atlanta or East Point.

In general, when people say cheap apartments in Atlanta, they’re usually looking for:

• A safe, livable unit (not luxury, but decent)
• In a reasonable commute distance to work or school
• With rent low enough that it doesn’t swallow their entire paycheck

A simple rule many renters use: try to keep rent at or below 30% of your gross monthly income. If that’s not realistic, consider shared housing, smaller units, or rent assistance programs.

Best Atlanta Areas to Look for Cheaper Apartments

You’ll usually find the lowest rents by trading off amenities and proximity to the core intown neighborhoods like Midtown, Inman Park, and Old Fourth Ward.

Below is a quick overview of areas where cheaper apartments are often easier to find.

Intown (But Often More Affordable Than Midtown/Buckhead)

These neighborhoods can offer relatively cheaper options compared to the priciest areas, especially in older buildings or smaller complexes:

• West End & Westview

  • Pros: Older apartments and duplexes, access to MARTA rail (West End Station), BeltLine Westside Trail.
  • Consider: Some streets are in transition; compare blocks carefully.

• Adair Park & Pittsburgh (Southwest Atlanta)

  • Pros: Close to downtown, older single-family homes divided into apartments, access to MARTA buses and some train stations.
  • Consider: Check safety, lighting, and public transit options on the exact streets you’re considering.

• Lakewood, Joyland, and surrounding Southside neighborhoods

  • Pros: Often cheaper rents, mix of small complexes and units in older homes.
  • Consider: Fewer walkable amenities; car or reliable MARTA access helps.

• Edgewood & Kirkwood (in older buildings or basements)

  • Pros: Walkability, near MARTA (Edgewood/Candler Park Station), some older triplexes or basement apartments.
  • Consider: New development has raised rents; “cheap” here often means small or shared.

Just Outside the City: Often Lower Rents

Living slightly outside the City of Atlanta can significantly lower the cost:

• East Point & College Park

  • Pros: Generally cheaper than many intown areas, MARTA rail access, near Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.
  • Consider: Noise from flight paths in some areas; compare commute times.

• Decatur-area (not just City of Decatur)

  • Pros: Apartments in unincorporated DeKalb County around Decatur (like along Candler Road, Memorial Drive, or Columbia Drive) are usually cheaper than central Atlanta.
  • Consider: Some complexes are older; check maintenance quality.

• Clarkston, Stone Mountain, and Tucker

  • Pros: Many older garden-style apartments; options that are often cheaper than closer-in zones.
  • Consider: Commutes can be longer without a car; bus routes instead of direct rail.

• Riverdale, Forest Park, and Morrow (South of the city)

  • Pros: Some of the lowest rents within Metro Atlanta.
  • Consider: Strongly car-dependent; compare gas, time, and toll costs.

Types of Cheap Apartments You’ll Find in Atlanta

Different types of housing can bring down your monthly cost. Here’s what to watch for.

Older Garden-Style Apartments

These are the classic two- or three-story brick or siding buildings built decades ago, usually with:

• Basic amenities (laundry room, sometimes a small pool)
• Window units or older central HVAC
• Larger floorplans than many new “luxury” studios

They’re common along major corridors like:

• Buford Highway in Brookhaven/Chamblee/Doraville
• Memorial Drive in DeKalb County
• Cleveland Avenue, Metropolitan Parkway, and Campbellton Road in Southwest Atlanta

You often get more space for less money, but you’ll want to check:

• Water pressure
• Condition of appliances
• Pest control and building maintenance

Basement Apartments, Garage Apartments, and ADUs

Many older Atlanta neighborhoods have secondary units:

• Basement apartments in craftsman bungalows
• Garage apartments behind single-family homes
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) permitted in some zoning areas

These often show up as:

• “In-law suite”
• “Garden-level unit”
• “Private basement apartment”

They can be cheaper than typical apartments, especially if utilities are included. Always confirm:

• Separate entrance
• Noise levels
• Parking situation
• Clear lease terms, especially when the landlord lives upstairs

Rooms for Rent and Shared Housing

If your budget is tight, renting a single room in a house or apartment is very common in Atlanta, especially for:

• Students (Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Atlanta University Center schools)
• Service workers
• People new to the city building savings

You’ll often find these in:

• West End, Vine City, and Mechanicsville near AUC
• Around Downtown and Sweet Auburn for Georgia State students
• Parts of Midtown and Old Fourth Ward in older houses split into multi-room rentals

Shared housing is one of the cheapest ways to live close-in, but you trade privacy and control over the space.

Using Public Transit to Find Cheaper Rent

If you don’t need to be right next to a MARTA station, you can often save hundreds per month by living along bus routes instead of rail.

Rail-access neighborhoods (like Midtown, Buckhead, Lindbergh) are usually more expensive.
Bus-only areas tend to have lower rent, especially:

• Along MARTA Route 15, 39, 121 and other buses that run on Memorial Drive, Candler Road, and Columbia Drive
• Along Campbellton Road, Cleveland Avenue, and Metropolitan Parkway

When comparing units, consider:

• 🚆 If you live near rail: Higher rent, but you may not need a car
• 🚌 If you live along bus lines: Lower rent, but longer commute and possible transfers
• 🚗 Car-only areas: Lowest rent in some suburbs, but higher costs in gas, insurance, and parking

Key Strategies to Actually Find Cheap Apartments in Atlanta

1. Search Beyond the First Page of Listings

The cheapest units often:

• Are older and not aggressively marketed
• Use simple or blurry photos
• Have short descriptions like “1BR available now, call for details”

Instead of focusing only on the top search results, try:

• Filtering by lowest price and scrolling through smaller landlords
• Searching by neighborhood name + ‘for rent’ (e.g., “West End 1 bedroom for rent”)
• Checking local listing boards and community bulletin boards in grocery stores, laundromats, and libraries

2. Consider Smaller Landlords and Local Property Managers

Big apartment complexes in Atlanta often:

• Add fees for amenities, parking, valet trash
• Raise rents annually

Smaller landlords might:

• Be more open to negotiation
• Include some utilities in rent
• Be flexible on move-in specials or deposit arrangements

When dealing with a small landlord, ask for:

• A written lease
• Clear details on utilities, repairs, and late fees
• Who to contact for maintenance and how fast they typically respond

3. Time Your Search Carefully

In Atlanta:

• Late fall and winter (roughly November–February) can be better for negotiating, since demand is lower.
• Summer is competitive because of school cycles and people relocating.

If possible, plan your move during a slower leasing season to improve your chances of finding cheaper deals and concessions like:

• One month free
• Reduced security deposit
• Free parking for a period

4. Factor in All Costs, Not Just Rent

A “cheap” apartment can become expensive once you add:

• Utilities (electricity, water/sewer, gas, trash)
• Parking fees (especially in garages or gated complexes)
• Renter’s insurance
• Application and administration fees

When you tour or call, ask:

• What utilities are included?
• Typical monthly utility cost for a unit that size?
• Any required fees beyond rent?

Helpful Table: Quick Overview of Cheaper Options in Atlanta

Local Atlanta Resources for Cheaper and Subsidized Housing

If your income is limited or you’re facing housing instability, Atlanta and Georgia have organizations that can help you search for low-cost or subsidized apartments.

Atlanta Housing (Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta)

Atlanta Housing administers various programs, including:

• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
• Project-based units in certain apartment communities
• Affordable housing developments within the city

Main Office (as of last known location):
230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 892-4700

Waitlists can be long and may not always be open, but it’s worth checking periodically.

City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development

This office works on:

• Affordable housing policies
• Down payment assistance and some rental assistance programs (when funding is available)
• Partnerships with local nonprofits and developers

You can look for information on:

• Income-restricted apartment communities
• Programs for renters in financial crises
• Neighborhood revitalization projects that include affordable units

Main offices are generally housed in municipal buildings downtown; phone numbers and specific program contacts can change, so calling City of Atlanta information at 311 (inside city limits) or (404) 546-0311 (outside) is a common starting point.

Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)

DCA manages:

• Statewide rental assistance programs
• Information on income-restricted apartment communities across metro Atlanta
• Some programs tied to low-income housing tax credits

Central Office (commonly referenced):
60 Executive Park South NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Phone: (404) 679-4940

They often maintain directories of affordable housing properties where rents are capped for certain income ranges.

United Way of Greater Atlanta – 2-1-1

Dialing 2-1-1 connects you to:

• Local nonprofits with rental assistance, move-in help, or emergency housing resources
• Referrals to shelters, transitional housing, and supportive housing
• Information on food, utilities, and other support that can free up your budget for rent

You can call 2-1-1 from most phones in the metro area or use their online search tools.

Practical Tips for Touring and Evaluating Cheap Apartments in Atlanta

When you find a potentially cheap place, take a close look so you don’t end up with major hidden costs.

Safety and Location Checks

When you visit:

• Walk or drive the block during the day and after dark
• Look at:
  • Street lighting
  • Condition of nearby properties
  • Activity level at night (noise, crowd behavior)

You can also:

• Visit the nearest MARTA station or bus stop to see how safe and convenient it feels
• Check how long it actually takes to reach work or school during rush hour

Building and Unit Condition

Inside the unit:

• Turn on faucets and showers; test hot water and pressure
• Open and close windows and doors
• Check under sinks for leaks or mold
• Look at baseboards and corners for signs of pests

Ask the landlord or manager:

• How are maintenance requests submitted?
• Typical response time for repairs?
• When were major systems (HVAC, plumbing, roof) last updated in the building?

Lease Details That Impact Your Budget

Before signing:

• Clarify who pays water/sewer, trash, and pest control
• Ask about:
  • Renewal terms and likely rent increases
  • Pet fees and deposits (if applicable)
  • Parking costs (garage, lot, street rules)

If something matters to you (like included utilities, free parking, or a repair commitment), try to get it written into the lease, not just promised verbally.

Ways to Lower Your Rent Without Moving Far Away

If you want to stay relatively close to central Atlanta but still cut your housing costs, consider:

• Downsizing within the same area
  Moving from a 2BR to a 1BR or studio in the same neighborhood can reduce rent while keeping your commute and routines similar.

• Finding a roommate
  Splitting a larger apartment in an area like West Midtown, East Atlanta Village, or Grant Park may be cheaper per person than each renting separate small units.

• Looking a few MARTA stops or bus miles away
  For example, instead of Midtown, check:

  • Lindbergh, Chamblee, or Doraville to the north
  • Lakewood/Fort McPherson or East Point to the south

• Negotiating at renewal time
  If you pay on time and are a good tenant, some landlords may:

  • Offer a smaller increase than initially proposed
  • Extend your lease in exchange for a modest rise instead of a steep jump

Red Flags to Watch For With Cheap Apartments

Low rent should not mean unsafe or illegal conditions. Be cautious if you see:

• No written lease or pressure to sign immediately without reading
• Requests for cash-only payments with no receipt
• Refusal to allow you to see the exact unit you’ll be renting
• Significant visible issues:
  • Exposed wiring
  • Persistent leaks
  • Strong mold or sewage smell

Also be wary of online rental scams, such as:

• Someone saying they’re “out of the country” and can’t show the unit
• Asking you to wire money or pay via gift cards or untraceable apps
• Listings with rent far below typical prices in that exact area

In Atlanta, if you suspect a scam or unsafe conditions, you can report issues to City of Atlanta Code Enforcement or call 311 for guidance.

Finding cheap apartments in Atlanta takes persistence, flexibility, and a willingness to look beyond the most heavily advertised complexes. By focusing on older properties, secondary neighborhoods, shared housing options, and local assistance programs, many renters are able to secure a place that fits their budget while staying connected to the city’s jobs, transit, and communities.