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Rental Market Trends in San Diego, CA

Updated August 2026

The average rent in San Diego, CA is $2,438/month.

Rent in San Diego is 47% higher than the national average rent of $1,664/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.

$2,438/month

Average Rent

651 Sq Ft

Average Size

+0.9%

Change / Year

12,644

Available Apartments

San Diego rent varies by unit size and layout:

  • Studio apartments in San Diego average $2,055 per month.
  • One-bedroom apartments in San Diego average $2,438 per month.
  • Two-bedroom apartments in San Diego average $3,074 per month.
  • Three-bedroom apartments in San Diego average $3,943 or more per month.

Average Rent by Home Type

Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$2,055/month
461 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,438/month
651 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,074/month
962 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,943/month
1,210 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,270/month
506 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,942/month
899 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$6,282/month
1,478 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$13,288/month
2,625 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$3,010/month
657 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$4,699/month
1,087 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$7,205/month
1,365 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$10,340/month
2,092 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,685/month
590 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,922/month
1,064 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$4,955/month
1,503 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$5,797/month
1,767 Sq Ft
View San Diego Apartments

How much has average rent changed in San Diego, CA?

In the past year, rent has increased by 0.9%, which averages out to $22 more per month.

Market Trends Over Time

August 2026

2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time

Rent Ranges in San Diego, CA

August 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in San Diego, CA
Percentage*
Rent Range
1% Below $700/month
8% $700 - $1,000/month
26% $1,001 - $1,500/month
24% $1,501 - $2,000/month
40% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in San Diego?

Based on current rent prices, Teralta East, Bay Terraces and Redwood Village-Rolando Park are the most affordable neighborhoods in San Diego.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Teralta East
$1,534/month
459 Sq Ft
Bay Terraces
$1,879/month
641 Sq Ft
Redwood Village-Rolando Park
$1,906/month
619 Sq Ft
Egger Highlands
$1,913/month
591 Sq Ft
El Cerrito
$1,927/month
609 Sq Ft
Paradise Hills
$1,944/month
641 Sq Ft
Normal Heights
$1,997/month
536 Sq Ft
Rolando
$2,073/month
541 Sq Ft
East County
$2,231/month
665 Sq Ft
College West
$2,250/month
579 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in San Diego?

Based on current rent prices, Mission Beach, Bankers Hill and Torrey Preserve are the most expensive neighborhoods in San Diego.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Mission Beach
$4,384/month
502 Sq Ft
Bankers Hill
$4,053/month
698 Sq Ft
Torrey Preserve
$4,028/month
919 Sq Ft
Columbia
$3,774/month
739 Sq Ft
Carmel Valley
$3,655/month
807 Sq Ft
Little Italy
$3,635/month
750 Sq Ft
Civic Core
$3,581/month
739 Sq Ft
North City
$3,479/month
704 Sq Ft
Serra Mesa
$3,357/month
757 Sq Ft
Kearny Mesa
$3,343/month
748 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 East Village .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Downtown San Diego
$3,254/month
719 Sq Ft
East County
$2,231/month
665 Sq Ft
East Village
$3,008/month
699 Sq Ft
Mission Valley
$2,848/month
694 Sq Ft
Little Italy
$3,635/month
750 Sq Ft
Kearny Mesa
$3,343/month
748 Sq Ft
Civic Core
$3,581/month
739 Sq Ft
Hillcrest
$3,279/month
688 Sq Ft
Serra Mesa
$3,357/month
757 Sq Ft
Columbia
$3,774/month
739 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in San Diego, CA?

Because the average rent in San Diego is $2,438, you’ll want to make about $8,126 per month or $97,512 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 $2,055 - $3,943. You can expect to pay 13.1% more for groceries, 50.5% more for utilities, and 43.3% more for transportation.

City

San Diego, CA

12,644 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

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 Guide

Apartment Averages

Teralta East

San Diego, CA

Mission Beach

San Diego, CA

Studio
$1,943/month
$1,201/month
One Bedroom
$1,149/month
$1,822/month
Two Bedroom
$1,271/month
$3,064/month
Three Bedroom
$1,681/month
$7,676/month
View Rentals
View Rentals

Compare Rent Trends Nearby

Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.

  • La Mesa

    La Mesa

    Avg Rent: $2,049/month

  • Santee

    Santee

    Avg Rent: $2,134/month

  • Lemon Grove

    Lemon Grove

    Avg Rent: $1,856/month

  • El Cajon

    El Cajon

    Avg Rent: $1,715/month

  • Pacific Beach

    Pacific Beach

    Avg Rent: $1,171/month

  • Spring Valley

    Spring Valley

    Avg Rent: $1,867/month

  • La Jolla

    La Jolla

    Avg Rent: $2,889/month

Apartment Communities in San Diego We Think You'll Love

Broadway Towers

Broadway Towers

1150 E St,
San Diego, CA 92101

1-3 Beds | $2,456 - $4,919

Elowen

Elowen

8555 Aero Dr,
San Diego, CA 92123

Studio - 3 Beds | $2,542 - $6,290

IMT Mission Valley

IMT Mission Valley

10343 San Diego Mission Rd,
San Diego, CA 92108

1-2 Beds | $2,405 - $3,305

AMLI Aero

AMLI Aero

3585 Aero Ct,
San Diego, CA 92123

Studio - 3 Beds | $2,880 - $6,838

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in San Diego?

The average rent in San Diego is $2,438 per month, which is 46.5% higher than the national average of $1,664.

What is the average rent for a house in San Diego?

The average rent for a house in San Diego, CA is $6,282 per month.

What is the average rent for a townhome in San Diego?

The average rent for a townhome in San Diego, CA is $3,922 per month.

What is the average rent for a condo in San Diego?

The average rent for a condo in San Diego, CA is $3,010 per month.

Are rents going up or down in San Diego?

Rents in San Diego, CA are increasing, with prices up 0.9% year-over-year and $22 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.

United States California San Diego Rental Trends

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 June 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.

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© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc.

Equal Housing Opportunity