San Diego, CA Rental Market Trends
What is the average rent in San Diego?
The average rent for an apartment in San Diego is $2,954. The cost of rent varies depending on several factors, including location, size, and quality.
Average rent in San Diego, CA
Last updated July 2025
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size |
|---|---|
| $2,954 | 878 sq. ft. |
What is the average apartment size in San Diego?
The average size for a San Diego, CA apartment is 878 square feet, but this number varies greatly depending on unit type, with cheap and luxury alternatives for houses and apartments alike. Studio apartments are the smallest and most affordable, 1-bedroom apartments are closer to the average, while 2-bedroom apartments and 3-bedroom apartments offer a more generous square footage.
San Diego, CA apartment rent ranges
San Diego, CA Occupied Housing Units
273,751 or 52% of the households in San Diego, CA are renter-occupied while 248,395 or 48% are owner-occupied.
San Diego, CA rent trends
Average Rent in San Diego, CA By Neighborhood
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Carmel Valley | $3,866 |
| Rolando | $3,636 |
| Harborview | $3,597 |
| Morena | $3,507 |
| Scripps Ranch | $3,445 |
| Torrey Hills | $3,405 |
| Otay Mesa | $3,347 |
| Little Italy | $3,313 |
| Mission Valley West | $3,300 |
| Kearny Mesa | $3,267 |
| Serra Mesa | $3,258 |
| University City | $3,251 |
| University Heights | $3,244 |
| Miramar Ranch | $3,231 |
| Del Cerro | $3,138 |
| Core - Columbia | $3,116 |
| Sabre Springs | $3,110 |
| College View Estates | $3,042 |
| Bankers Hill - Park West | $3,039 |
| Mission Valley East | $3,021 |
| Rancho Penasquitos | $2,975 |
| Pacific Beach | $2,951 |
| Mira Mesa | $2,921 |
| Grantville | $2,917 |
| East Village | $2,913 |
| Ocean View Hills | $2,912 |
| Hillcrest | $2,909 |
| Carmel Mountain | $2,895 |
| Talmadge | $2,833 |
| Tierrasanta | $2,820 |
| Allied Gardens | $2,803 |
| Rancho Bernardo | $2,776 |
| Point Loma Heights | $2,735 |
| North Park | $2,728 |
| Linda Vista | $2,723 |
| Marina | $2,670 |
| Birdland | $2,663 |
| Bay Park | $2,649 |
| Nestor | $2,556 |
| College Area | $2,553 |
| North Clairemont | $2,464 |
| San Carlos | $2,450 |
| Clairemont Mesa East | $2,388 |
| Redwood Village | $2,362 |
| Lake Murray | $2,353 |
| Bay Ho | $2,269 |
| El Cerrito | $2,255 |
| Otay Mesa West | $2,247 |
| Cherokee Point | $2,209 |
| Golden Hill | $2,180 |
| Midway | $2,170 |
| Bay Terraces | $2,125 |
| Egger Highlands | $2,065 |
| Lincoln Park | $2,044 |
| Ocean Beach | $1,926 |
| Colina del Sol | $1,684 |
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What are the most affordable neighborhoods in San Diego?
The most affordable neighborhoods in San Diego are Colina del Sol, where the average rent goes for $1,684/month, Ocean Beach, where renters pay $1,926/mo on average, and Lincoln Park, where the average rent goes for $2,044/mo. If you’re looking for other great deals, check out the listings from Egger Highlands ($2,065), Bay Terraces ($2,125), and Midway ($2,170), where the asking prices are below the average San Diego rent of $2,954/mo.
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in San Diego?
The most expensive neighborhoods in San Diego are Harborview ($3,597), Rolando ($3,636) and Carmel Valley ($3,866).
What are the most popular neighborhoods in San Diego?
The most popular neighborhood in San Diego is East Village, where there are 18 listings with an average rent of $2,913. Next up is Mira Mesa, where apartments go for $2,921/month, followed by University City with $3,251 If you’re looking to rent in San Diego’s most popular neighborhoods, make sure to also check out North Park, where renters pay $2,728 on average, and Core - Columbia, where the average monthly rent is $3,116.
San Diego | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Allied Gardens is 8% lower than in Bankers Hill - Park West
$2,803
Allied Gardens rent is 5% lower than San Diego average
Average Rent
$2,803
$3,039
Bankers Hill - Park West rent is 3% higher than San Diego average
Average Rent
$3,039
How San Diego Compares to Other Cities
| State | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| San Diego | $2,954 |
| Los Angeles | $2,768 |
| East Bay | $2,679 |
| San Francisco | $3,522 |
| Sacramento | $1,916 |
| Oakland | $2,625 |
| Long Beach | $2,661 |
| San Jose | $3,170 |
| Fresno | $1,614 |
| Vallejo | $2,082 |
| Tulare | $1,586 |
| Oceanside | $2,603 |
| Vista, CA | $2,534 |
| Carlsbad, CA | $3,198 |
| Chula Vista, CA | $2,632 |
| Escondido, CA | $2,256 |
| Murrieta, CA | $2,344 |
| El Cajon, CA | $2,217 |
| La Mesa, CA | $2,491 |
| San Marcos, CA | $2,721 |
| Temecula, CA | $2,421 |
What is the average price for a storage unit in San Diego?
The average rent for a non-climate-controlled 10'x10' storage unit in San Diego is $232.32. Rental costs vary depending on several factors, including unit size and the storage facility's location and amenities.
Most Popular Apartments in San Diego
Apex Mission Valley
7084 FRIARS RD., San Diego, CA 92108| 1 BED | $2,780+ |
| 2 BEDS | $3,200+ |
| 3 BEDS | $4,722+ |
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Mira Bella Apartments
3455 Kearny Villa Rd, San Diego, CA 92123| 1 BED | N/A |
| 2 BEDS | $3,422+ |
| 3 BEDS | $4,412+ |