Broadway Towers
1150 E St,
San Diego, CA 92101
1-3 Beds | $2,586 - $4,957
Rental Market Trends in San Diego, CA
Updated September 2026
The average rent in San Diego, CA is $2,439/month.
Rent in San Diego is 46% higher than the national average rent of $1,665/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.
$2,439/month
Average Rent
649 Sq Ft
Average Size
+1.1%
Change / Year
9,578
Available Apartments
San Diego rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in San Diego average $2,046 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in San Diego average $2,439 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in San Diego average $3,070 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in San Diego average $3,820 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in San Diego, CA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 1.1%, which averages out to $27 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
September 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in San Diego, CA
September 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
1%
Below $700/month
8%
$700 - $1,000/month
26%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
25%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
40%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in San Diego?
Based on current rent prices, Teralta East, Colina Del Sol and Bay Terraces are the most affordable neighborhoods in San Diego.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in San Diego?
Based on current rent prices, Mission Beach, Columbia and Bankers Hill are the most expensive neighborhoods in San Diego.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which San Diego neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhoods in San Diego with the most apartments available are Downtown San Diego, East County and Mission Valley .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in San Diego, CA?
Because the average rent in San Diego is $2,439, you’ll want to make about $8,130 per month or $97,560 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.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in San Diego, CA is 47.1% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in San Diego is 107.8% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $2,046 - $3,820. You can expect to pay 13.1% more for groceries, 50.5% more for utilities, and 43.3% more for transportation.
How does San Diego, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare San Diego, 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 Diego Area GuideStudio
$1,946/month
$1,202/month
One Bedroom
$1,216/month
$1,823/month
Two Bedroom
$1,345/month
$3,185/month
Three Bedroom
$1,685/month
$7,681/month
Compare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
-
La Mesa
Avg Rent: $2,062/month
-
Santee
Avg Rent: $2,128/month
-
Lemon Grove
Avg Rent: $1,854/month
-
El Cajon
Avg Rent: $1,720/month
-
Spring Valley
Avg Rent: $1,869/month
-
La Jolla
Avg Rent: $2,898/month
Apartment Communities in San Diego We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in San Diego?
The average rent in San Diego is $2,439 per month, which is 46.5% higher than the national average of $1,665.
What is the average rent for a house in San Diego?
The average rent for a house in San Diego, CA is $6,775 per month.
What is the average rent for a townhome in San Diego?
The average rent for a townhome in San Diego, CA is $4,138 per month.
What is the average rent for a condo in San Diego?
The average rent for a condo in San Diego, CA is $3,236 per month.
Are rents going up or down in San Diego?
Rents in San Diego, CA are increasing, with prices up 1.1% year-over-year and $27 more per month.
What rent range is most common in San Diego?
In San Diego, CA, 40% 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.