San Diego, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: May 11, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in San Diego is $2,969, a 0.74% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,991.
Studio Apartments at $2,197 offer the most budget-friendly option with 508 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 708 square feet for $2,657, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $3,241 offer 1,032 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,310 sq ft) for $3,987, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in San Diego, CA
Last updated: May 11, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,969 | 876 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,197 | 508 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,657 | 708 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $3,241 | 1,032 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,987 | 1,310 sq. ft. |
San Diego, CA rent trends
Rental prices in San Diego, CA have decreased by 0.74% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,991 to $2,969.
What's the typical rent budget in San Diego, CA?
The largest share of rentals in San Diego, CA (43%) 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 $1,819/month
Logan Heights $1,931/month
Egger Highlands $2,003/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $2,969/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in San Diego?
Harborview $3,604/month
Carmel Valley $3,921/month
Bankers Hill - Park West $4,571/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in San Diego, CA By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Bankers Hill - Park West | $4,571 |
| Carmel Valley | $3,921 |
| Harborview | $3,604 |
| Torrey Hills | $3,604 |
| College View Estates | $3,478 |
| Scripps Ranch | $3,471 |
| Little Italy | $3,457 |
| Serra Mesa | $3,389 |
| Morena | $3,386 |
| Mission Valley West | $3,306 |
| Miramar Ranch | $3,289 |
| Kearny Mesa | $3,244 |
| University City | $3,234 |
| Core - Columbia | $3,166 |
| Sabre Springs | $3,118 |
| Ocean View Hills | $3,113 |
| Cortez | $3,105 |
| Mission Valley East | $3,103 |
| University Heights | $3,072 |
| Rancho Penasquitos | $3,017 |
| Otay Mesa | $2,975 |
| Rolando | $2,974 |
| Hillcrest | $2,949 |
| East Village | $2,925 |
| Carmel Mountain | $2,873 |
| Grantville | $2,861 |
| Mira Mesa | $2,853 |
| Talmadge | $2,849 |
| Pacific Beach | $2,833 |
| Tierrasanta | $2,823 |
| Rancho Bernardo | $2,789 |
| Marina | $2,748 |
| North Park | $2,744 |
| Point Loma Heights | $2,694 |
| Allied Gardens | $2,692 |
| Linda Vista | $2,664 |
| College Area | $2,610 |
| Birdland | $2,558 |
| Nestor | $2,537 |
| Bay Park | $2,454 |
| North Clairemont | $2,433 |
| Clairemont Mesa East | $2,310 |
| Bay Ho | $2,293 |
| Lake Murray | $2,262 |
| Otay Mesa West | $2,232 |
| El Cerrito | $2,192 |
| Palm City | $2,149 |
| Midway | $2,146 |
| Bay Terraces | $2,114 |
| Golden Hill | $2,109 |
| Cherokee Point | $2,066 |
| Lincoln Park | $2,008 |
| Egger Highlands | $2,003 |
| Logan Heights | $1,931 |
| Colina del Sol | $1,819 |
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San Diego | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Allied Gardens is 41% lower than in Bankers Hill - Park West
$2,692
Allied Gardens rent is 9% lower than San Diego average
Average Rent
$2,692
$4,571
Bankers Hill - Park West rent is 54% higher than San Diego average
Average Rent
$4,571
How San Diego Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| San Diego | $2,969 |
| Los Angeles | $2,749 |
| East Bay | $2,704 |
| San Francisco | $3,826 |
| Oakland | $2,621 |
| Sacramento | $1,899 |
| San Jose | $3,193 |
| Alameda | $3,052 |
| Fresno | $1,633 |
| Riverside | $2,233 |
| Anaheim | $2,466 |
| El Cajon, CA | $2,195 |
| Oceanside, CA | $2,616 |
| Chula Vista, CA | $2,635 |
| Escondido, CA | $2,205 |
| Vista, CA | $2,528 |
| Murrieta, CA | $2,376 |
| Carlsbad, CA | $3,244 |
| La Mesa, CA | $2,430 |
| San Marcos, CA | $2,679 |
| Spring Valley, CA | $2,412 |
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.