San Diego, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: January 27, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in San Diego is $2,938, a 1.85% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,993.
Studio Apartments at $2,194 offer the most budget-friendly option with 505 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 707 square feet for $2,628, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $3,202 offer 1,032 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,301 sq ft) for $3,925, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in San Diego, CA
Last updated: January 27, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,938 | 876 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,194 | 505 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,628 | 707 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $3,202 | 1,032 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,925 | 1,301 sq. ft. |
San Diego, CA rent trends
Rental prices in San Diego, CA have decreased by 1.85% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,993 to $2,938.
What's the typical rent budget in San Diego, CA?
The largest share of rentals in San Diego, CA (40%) 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 $1,855/month
Ocean Beach $1,879/month
Egger Highlands $2,050/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $2,938/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in San Diego?
Torrey Hills $3,582/month
Rolando $3,640/month
Carmel Valley $3,938/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 | $3,938 |
| Rolando | $3,640 |
| Torrey Hills | $3,582 |
| Harborview | $3,553 |
| Scripps Ranch | $3,441 |
| Morena | $3,340 |
| Little Italy | $3,339 |
| Serra Mesa | $3,275 |
| Mission Valley West | $3,273 |
| University City | $3,238 |
| Kearny Mesa | $3,177 |
| University Heights | $3,116 |
| Core - Columbia | $3,100 |
| Bankers Hill - Park West | $3,063 |
| Cortez | $3,040 |
| Mission Valley East | $3,000 |
| Rancho Penasquitos | $2,960 |
| Pacific Beach | $2,929 |
| East Village | $2,897 |
| Mira Mesa | $2,897 |
| Ocean View Hills | $2,888 |
| North Park | $2,859 |
| Grantville | $2,857 |
| Carmel Mountain | $2,842 |
| Hillcrest | $2,837 |
| Rancho Bernardo | $2,776 |
| Marina | $2,766 |
| Talmadge | $2,713 |
| Linda Vista | $2,709 |
| Point Loma Heights | $2,694 |
| Allied Gardens | $2,644 |
| Nestor | $2,587 |
| Birdland | $2,525 |
| College Area | $2,515 |
| North Clairemont | $2,482 |
| Bay Park | $2,442 |
| Clairemont Mesa East | $2,371 |
| Bay Ho | $2,360 |
| Lake Murray | $2,304 |
| Otay Mesa West | $2,253 |
| Palm City | $2,240 |
| Midway | $2,163 |
| Bay Terraces | $2,098 |
| Golden Hill | $2,066 |
| Lincoln Park | $2,057 |
| Egger Highlands | $2,050 |
| Ocean Beach | $1,879 |
| Colina del Sol | $1,855 |
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San Diego | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Allied Gardens is 14% lower than in Bankers Hill - Park West
$2,644
Allied Gardens rent is 10% lower than San Diego average
Average Rent
$2,644
$3,063
Bankers Hill - Park West rent is 4% higher than San Diego average
Average Rent
$3,063
How San Diego Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| San Diego | $2,938 |
| Los Angeles | $2,746 |
| East Bay | $2,634 |
| San Francisco | $3,561 |
| Oakland | $2,565 |
| Sacramento | $1,890 |
| Long Beach | $2,643 |
| San Jose | $3,087 |
| Alameda | $2,999 |
| Fresno | $1,616 |
| Tulare | $1,680 |
| Oceanside, CA | $2,601 |
| El Cajon, CA | $2,196 |
| Vista, CA | $2,520 |
| Chula Vista, CA | $2,615 |
| Murrieta, CA | $2,359 |
| Escondido, CA | $2,274 |
| Carlsbad, CA | $3,187 |
| La Mesa, CA | $2,490 |
| San Marcos, CA | $2,705 |
| Imperial Beach, CA | $2,499 |
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.