San Diego, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: October 29, 2025 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in San Diego is $2,959, a 1.48% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $3,004.
Studio Apartments at $2,173 offer the most budget-friendly option with 508 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 707 square feet for $2,620, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $3,246 offer 1,031 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,296 sq ft) for $3,958, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in San Diego, CA
Last updated: October 29, 2025
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,959 | 877 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,173 | 508 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,620 | 707 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $3,246 | 1,031 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,958 | 1,296 sq. ft. |
San Diego, CA rent trends
Rental prices in San Diego, CA have decreased by 1.48% over the past year. The average rent moved from $3,004 to $2,959.
What's the typical rent budget in San Diego, CA?
The largest share of rentals in San Diego, CA (42%) fall between $3,000- per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in San Diego, CA?
273,751 or 52% of the households in San Diego, CA are renter-occupied while 248,395 or 48% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in San Diego?
Colina del Sol $1,675/month
Colina del Sol $1,675/month
Ocean Beach $1,915/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $2,959/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in San Diego?
Rolando $3,657/month
Carmel Valley $3,965/month
Carmel Valley $3,965/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in San Diego, CA By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Carmel Valley | $3,965 |
| Carmel Valley | $3,965 |
| Rolando | $3,657 |
| Rolando | $3,657 |
| Harborview | $3,609 |
| Harborview | $3,609 |
| Morena | $3,527 |
| Morena | $3,527 |
| Scripps Ranch | $3,478 |
| Scripps Ranch | $3,478 |
| Torrey Hills | $3,445 |
| Torrey Hills | $3,445 |
| Little Italy | $3,345 |
| Little Italy | $3,345 |
| Mission Valley West | $3,317 |
| Mission Valley West | $3,317 |
| Serra Mesa | $3,277 |
| Serra Mesa | $3,277 |
| University City | $3,270 |
| University City | $3,270 |
| University Heights | $3,264 |
| University Heights | $3,264 |
| Miramar Ranch | $3,238 |
| Miramar Ranch | $3,238 |
| Kearny Mesa | $3,196 |
| Kearny Mesa | $3,196 |
| Del Cerro | $3,144 |
| Del Cerro | $3,144 |
| Core - Columbia | $3,122 |
| Core - Columbia | $3,122 |
| Bankers Hill - Park West | $3,071 |
| Bankers Hill - Park West | $3,071 |
| Mission Valley East | $3,040 |
| Mission Valley East | $3,040 |
| Rancho Penasquitos | $2,986 |
| Rancho Penasquitos | $2,986 |
| Ocean View Hills | $2,960 |
| Ocean View Hills | $2,960 |
| Pacific Beach | $2,939 |
| Pacific Beach | $2,939 |
| Carmel Mountain | $2,922 |
| Carmel Mountain | $2,922 |
| Mira Mesa | $2,920 |
| Mira Mesa | $2,920 |
| East Village | $2,918 |
| East Village | $2,918 |
| Grantville | $2,908 |
| Grantville | $2,908 |
| Hillcrest | $2,895 |
| Hillcrest | $2,895 |
| Rancho Bernardo | $2,833 |
| Rancho Bernardo | $2,833 |
| Allied Gardens | $2,824 |
| Allied Gardens | $2,824 |
| Talmadge | $2,817 |
| Talmadge | $2,817 |
| North Park | $2,781 |
| North Park | $2,781 |
| Linda Vista | $2,717 |
| Linda Vista | $2,717 |
| Point Loma Heights | $2,698 |
| Point Loma Heights | $2,698 |
| Marina | $2,697 |
| Marina | $2,697 |
| Birdland | $2,656 |
| Birdland | $2,656 |
| Nestor | $2,588 |
| Nestor | $2,588 |
| College Area | $2,555 |
| College Area | $2,555 |
| Bay Park | $2,490 |
| Bay Park | $2,490 |
| North Clairemont | $2,450 |
| North Clairemont | $2,450 |
| Clairemont Mesa East | $2,371 |
| Clairemont Mesa East | $2,371 |
| Lake Murray | $2,328 |
| Lake Murray | $2,328 |
| Bay Ho | $2,256 |
| Bay Ho | $2,256 |
| Palm City | $2,240 |
| Palm City | $2,240 |
| Otay Mesa West | $2,235 |
| Otay Mesa West | $2,235 |
| Golden Hill | $2,167 |
| Golden Hill | $2,167 |
| Midway | $2,135 |
| Midway | $2,135 |
| Bay Terraces | $2,117 |
| Bay Terraces | $2,117 |
| Egger Highlands | $2,052 |
| Egger Highlands | $2,052 |
| Lincoln Park | $2,052 |
| Lincoln Park | $2,052 |
| Ocean Beach | $1,915 |
| Ocean Beach | $1,915 |
| Colina del Sol | $1,675 |
| Colina del Sol | $1,675 |
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San Diego | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Allied Gardens is the same as in Allied Gardens
$2,824
Allied Gardens rent is 5% lower than San Diego average
Average Rent
$2,824
$2,824
Allied Gardens rent is 5% lower than San Diego average
Average Rent
$2,824
How San Diego Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| San Diego | $2,959 |
| Los Angeles | $2,762 |
| East Bay | $2,685 |
| San Francisco | $3,545 |
| Sacramento | $1,921 |
| Oakland | $2,651 |
| Long Beach | $2,665 |
| San Jose | $3,170 |
| Tulare | $1,576 |
| Fresno | $1,594 |
| San Marcos, CA | $2,728 |
| Carlsbad, CA | $3,260 |
| La Mesa, CA | $2,485 |
| Spring Valley, CA | $2,469 |
| Murrieta, CA | $2,335 |
| El Cajon, CA | $2,234 |
| Oceanside, CA | $2,608 |
| Chula Vista, CA | $2,638 |
| Vista, CA | $2,527 |
| Escondido, CA | $2,261 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all San Diego apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.