Sharswood Philadelphia Apartments in 2026: What Renters Should Know

Apartment hunting in Sharswood (19121 zip code) can feel tricky because the rent, building quality, and street feel can change fast within a few blocks.

That mix is also why so many people are looking for apartments for rent here in 2026. Sharswood Philadelphia apartments still offer a lower-cost path into the city than many central neighborhoods, while newer buildings near Cecil B. Moore Avenue and Ridge Avenue bring better finishes and amenities than some renters expect.

The smart move is simple: judge the exact address, the exact building, and your true monthly cost before you fall for listing photos.

Key Takeaways

• May 2026 rent snapshots put studios around $1,405, one-bedrooms around $1,395, and two-bedrooms around $2,100.

• Shared housing near Temple can cost far less, with some rooms listed from $500 to $1,200.

• The best value often sits in older affordable housing, not the newest one and two-bedroom units.

• Transit is workable without a car, especially if you use buses and connect to the Broad Street Line.

• Safety changes block by block, so it's worth checking the exact address on a current map and visiting at more than one time of day.

What Renters Are Paying in 2026

Current May 2026 rent data shows why Sharswood gets attention from budget-focused renters. It also shows why averages can be misleading.

Here is the quick rent picture for apartments in Sharswood, Philadelphia right now:

Unit Type	Average Monthly Rent	What It Means for Renters
Studio	$1,405	Often newer or better-finished units
1 Bedroom	$1,395	A strong middle ground for solo renters
2 Bedroom	$2,100	New construction pushes this higher

The big takeaway is simple. This spread in market-rate housing means a brand-new two-bedroom can cost much more than people expect, while an older one-bedroom may land close to city averages or below them.

Some current options show that spread clearly. Sharswood Crossing, a key example, offers various floor plans with one-bedrooms from $1,005 to $1,426 and two-bedrooms from $1,202 to $1,693. Girard Court, another active option in the neighborhood, has one-bedrooms starting around $1,184. Near Temple, shared student-style houses can be much cheaper, especially if you rent by the room.

That means your best deal depends on how you live when searching for apartments for rent. If you want to live alone, a one-bedroom may give you the best balance of cost and privacy. If you're open to roommates, shared housing can cut the monthly bill hard. On the other hand, if you want a newer two-bedroom with polished finishes, expect to pay for it.

What Sharswood Feels Like Block by Block

Sharswood sits in North Philadelphia near Temple University, Brewerytown, and Girard College. That location is a major reason renters keep it on the short list.

City Cast's Sharswood guide describes a neighborhood shaped by long local history, Sharswood Ridge commerce, strong transit corridors, and neighborhood revitalization. In daily life, that means you get a mix of older rowhomes, newer infill apartments, student rentals, and family housing, often within walking distance of each other.

The neighborhood has also changed through a long public and private redevelopment cycle. WHYY's report on the Philadelphia Housing Authority Sharswood revitalization plan, including Blumberg Apartments, notes that new housing, retail, and services, including a grocery store and urgent care options, have been part of that shift.

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How to Judge Safety Without Guessing

Safety is the issue you shouldn't wave away. The data for 2026 is mixed in tone, but the message is clear enough: you need to check the exact block in the 19121 zip code.

One recent dataset puts Sharswood's crime index at 190, with assault and vehicle theft as the biggest concerns. At the same time, local reporting shows improvement in some categories over the longer term. WHYY reported aggravated assaults in the area had dropped sharply from 2015 levels as neighborhood revitalization moved forward.

  In Sharswood, the exact block matters more than the neighborhood label.  

That is why a broad safety score won't tell you enough. Use a current map such as the Sharswood Safety Report, then visit in daylight and early evening. Watch how people use the street. Check lighting, package security, front-door access, and whether nearby buildings look occupied and maintained.

If you can, talk to one tenant. Ask whether deliveries disappear, whether the block gets loud late, and how fast maintenance handles lock or entry issues. Those answers matter more than a polished listing description.

Which Apartment Types and Amenities Are Worth Paying For

Sharswood renters usually sort into three broad lanes: shared student housing, affordable family-oriented communities, and newer amenity-rich buildings. Your best lane depends on your budget and your routine.

Students and first-time renters often start with Temple-area listings because they're close to campus and easier to split with roommates. If that's you, Temple's off-campus housing search is worth checking alongside open-market listings. It helps you compare distance, features, and student-friendly setups without guessing.

Meanwhile, family households may want to compare purpose-built options such as Sharswood Townhouses and Sharswood Crossing. Those communities tend to focus more on space, predictable layouts, practical features, senior housing, and a community room.

For newer mid-rise living, buildings near Cecil B. Moore Avenue show what current renter demand looks like. The Columbia, at 2709 Cecil B. Moore Ave, is one example. It highlights keyless entry, elevator access, modern appliances with dishwasher, hardwood floors, on-site laundry, energy-efficient features, a rooftop lounge, fitness center, study nook, package room, bike room, outdoor space, and pet friendly policies in recently renovated units.

Those features aren't fluff. In North Philadelphia, secure entry, package handling, central air, bike storage, and fast maintenance often matter more than a trendy finish. A rooftop lounge is nice, but a reliable front door lock matters more.

Transit, Commute, and Daily Convenience

For many renters, Sharswood works because it doesn't force car ownership. That alone can change the budget.

Transit access is solid for North Philly. City Cast notes bus routes 3, 33, and 61 run along major nearby corridors, and the Broad Street Line is reachable by bus or on foot from some parts of the neighborhood. One Sharswood neighborhood guide lists a walk score of 72, a bike score of 71, and a transit score of 71.

That setup fits students, hospital workers, and young professionals who need Temple, Center City Philadelphia, or Broad Street access. Biking is also becoming more useful as North Philadelphia connections improve and Indego expands nearby.

If you do own a car, ask about parking before you sign. Street parking can be tight, and that can turn an affordable apartment into a daily hassle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Sharswood Apartments Good for Temple Students?

Yes, many apartments for rent are, especially near Cecil B. Moore Avenue and other campus-adjacent streets. Still, student renters should look past the lease headline. Check whether the lease is joint or by the room, how secure the entry is, and whether the walk home feels comfortable after dark.

Are Rents in Sharswood Lower Than Center City?

Usually, yes. Sharswood is still cheaper than many Center City and close-in luxury areas. However, newer two-bedroom apartments can climb fast, so the price gap isn't always as wide as renters expect.

What Should I Ask During a Tour?

Ask what utilities are included, how packages are handled, whether laundry is in-unit or shared, and how maintenance requests work. Also ask about guest rules, pet fees, rental application fees, security deposits, and the total move-in amount, not only the monthly rent.

Who Is Sharswood a Good Fit for in 2026?

It fits renters who want better value than central Philadelphia and don't mind doing extra homework on the block and building. That includes students, young professionals, local movers, budget-conscious households, and those using Section 8 vouchers in mixed-income housing. It's less ideal for people who want a uniform neighborhood feel or don't want to think about street-level safety.

Final Thoughts on Renting in Sharswood

The best Sharswood Philadelphia apartments in 2026 aren't the ones with the flashiest photos. They're the ones where rent, block, commute, and building security all line up with your daily life.

If you compare addresses carefully, review floor plans, tour apartments for rent at more than one time of day, and put practical features ahead of hype, Sharswood can still offer real value in a city where that gets harder every year.