The Hayden
815 Old County Rd,
Belmont, CA 94002
Studio - 2 Beds | $3,477 - $6,007
Rental Market Trends in San Carlos, CA
Updated September 2026
The average rent in San Carlos, CA is $2,788/month.
Rent in San Carlos is 68% higher than the national average rent of $1,664/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.
$2,788/month
Average Rent
619 Sq Ft
Average Size
+5.3%
Change / Year
73
Available Apartments
San Carlos rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in San Carlos average $1,990 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in San Carlos average $2,788 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in San Carlos average $3,621 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in San Carlos average $6,839 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in San Carlos, CA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 5.3%, which averages out to $148 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
September 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in San Carlos, CA
September 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
0%
Below $700/month
0%
$700 - $1,000/month
7%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
14%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
79%
Above $2,000/month
What salary do I need to live comfortably in San Carlos, CA?
Because the average rent in San Carlos is $2,788, you’ll want to make about $9,293 per month or $111,516 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.
How does San Carlos, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare San Carlos, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.
View the San Carlos Area GuideCompare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
-
Belmont
Avg Rent: $3,091/month
-
Redwood City
Avg Rent: $3,139/month
-
Foster City
Avg Rent: $3,351/month
-
San Mateo
Avg Rent: $3,190/month
-
Menlo Park
Avg Rent: $3,611/month
Apartment Communities in San Carlos We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in San Carlos?
The average rent in San Carlos is $2,788 per month, which is 67.5% higher than the national average of $1,664.
Are rents going up or down in San Carlos?
Rents in San Carlos, CA are increasing, with prices up 5.3% year-over-year and $148 more per month.
What rent range is most common in San Carlos?
In San Carlos, CA, 79% of apartments fall above $2,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in September 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.