San Diego, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: September 05, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in San Diego is $3,028, a 1.39% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,986.
Studio Apartments at $2,224 offer the most budget-friendly option with 510 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 710 square feet for $2,704, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-bedroom units at $3,323 offer 1,036 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,310 sq ft) for $4,043, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in San Diego, CA
Last updated: September 05, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $3,028 | 878 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,224 | 510 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,704 | 710 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $3,323 | 1,036 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $4,043 | 1,310 sq. ft. |
San Diego, CA rent trends
Rental prices in San Diego, CA have increased by 1.39% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,986 to $3,028.
What's the typical rent budget in San Diego, CA?
The largest share of rentals in San Diego, CA (45%) 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?
279,312 or 53% of the households in San Diego, CA are renter-occupied while 251,100 or 47% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in San Diego?
Colina del Sol $1,665/month
Logan Heights $1,931/month
Lincoln Park $1,942/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $3,028/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in San Diego?
College View Estates $3,921/month
Bankers Hill - Park West $3,965/month
Carmel Valley $4,078/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 | $4,078 |
| Bankers Hill - Park West | $3,965 |
| College View Estates | $3,921 |
| Torrey Hills | $3,728 |
| Harborview | $3,701 |
| Scripps Ranch | $3,631 |
| Little Italy | $3,561 |
| Mission Valley West | $3,512 |
| Serra Mesa | $3,508 |
| Morena | $3,471 |
| University City | $3,404 |
| Sabre Springs | $3,328 |
| Kearny Mesa | $3,314 |
| Del Cerro | $3,304 |
| Miramar Ranch | $3,267 |
| Core - Columbia | $3,207 |
| Cortez | $3,161 |
| Mission Valley East | $3,116 |
| Carmel Mountain | $3,111 |
| University Heights | $3,111 |
| Rancho Penasquitos | $3,106 |
| Ocean View Hills | $3,103 |
| Rolando | $2,981 |
| East Village | $2,978 |
| Hillcrest | $2,974 |
| Talmadge | $2,956 |
| Mira Mesa | $2,934 |
| Tierrasanta | $2,920 |
| Grantville | $2,914 |
| Rancho Bernardo | $2,906 |
| Otay Mesa | $2,878 |
| Marina | $2,857 |
| Pacific Beach | $2,819 |
| North Park | $2,806 |
| Birdland | $2,789 |
| Allied Gardens | $2,780 |
| Linda Vista | $2,769 |
| Point Loma Heights | $2,742 |
| Golden Hill | $2,646 |
| Bay Park | $2,603 |
| College Area | $2,540 |
| Nestor | $2,520 |
| San Carlos | $2,518 |
| North Clairemont | $2,447 |
| Clairemont Mesa East | $2,386 |
| Bay Ho | $2,370 |
| Redwood Village | $2,356 |
| Lake Murray | $2,322 |
| Palm City | $2,274 |
| Ocean Beach | $2,270 |
| Otay Mesa West | $2,245 |
| El Cerrito | $2,232 |
| Midway | $2,181 |
| Bay Terraces | $2,123 |
| Cherokee Point | $2,102 |
| Egger Highlands | $2,093 |
| Lincoln Park | $1,942 |
| Logan Heights | $1,931 |
| Colina del Sol | $1,665 |
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San Diego | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Allied Gardens is 30% lower than in Bankers Hill - Park West
$2,780
Allied Gardens rent is 8% lower than San Diego average
Average Rent
$2,780
$3,965
Bankers Hill - Park West rent is 31% higher than San Diego average
Average Rent
$3,965
How San Diego Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| San Diego | $3,028 |
| Los Angeles | $2,757 |
| East Bay | $2,757 |
| San Francisco | $4,027 |
| Sacramento | $1,906 |
| Oakland | $2,739 |
| Fresno | $1,632 |
| San Jose | $3,315 |
| Alameda | $3,078 |
| Long Beach | $2,718 |
| Anaheim | $2,501 |
| El Cajon, CA | $2,198 |
| Oceanside, CA | $2,683 |
| Vista, CA | $2,601 |
| Escondido, CA | $2,244 |
| Chula Vista, CA | $2,647 |
| Murrieta, CA | $2,427 |
| Carlsbad, CA | $3,405 |
| La Mesa, CA | $2,499 |
| San Marcos, CA | $2,776 |
| Spring Valley, CA | $2,426 |
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.