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Rental Market Trends in San Marcos, CA

Updated September 2026

The average rent in San Marcos, CA is $2,515/month.

Rent in San Marcos is 51% higher than the national average rent of $1,665/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.

$2,515/month

Average Rent

699 Sq Ft

Average Size

+3.9%

Change / Year

582

Available Apartments

San Marcos rent varies by unit size and layout:

  • Studio apartments in San Marcos average $2,523 per month.
  • One-bedroom apartments in San Marcos average $2,515 per month.
  • Two-bedroom apartments in San Marcos average $2,944 per month.
  • Three-bedroom apartments in San Marcos average $3,920 or more per month.

Average Rent by Home Type

Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$2,523/month
536 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$2,515/month
699 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,944/month
972 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,920/month
1,229 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,239/month
1,189 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$4,304/month
1,632 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$8,146/month
2,694 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,817/month
937 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,774/month
1,501 Sq Ft
View San Marcos Apartments

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

In the past year, rent has increased by 3.9%, which averages out to $98 more per month.

Market Trends Over Time

September 2026

2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time

Rent Ranges in San Marcos, CA

September 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in San Marcos, CA
Percentage*
Rent Range
0% Below $700/month
0% $700 - $1,000/month
5% $1,001 - $1,500/month
22% $1,501 - $2,000/month
73% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in San Marcos?

Based on current rent prices, University Commons, Old Creek Ranch and Camden Old Creek are the most affordable neighborhoods in San Marcos.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
University Commons
$2,756/month
750 Sq Ft
Old Creek Ranch
$2,756/month
750 Sq Ft
Camden Old Creek
$2,756/month
750 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in San Marcos?

Based on current rent prices, University Commons, Old Creek Ranch and Camden Old Creek are the most expensive neighborhoods in San Marcos.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
University Commons
$2,756/month
750 Sq Ft
Old Creek Ranch
$2,756/month
750 Sq Ft
Camden Old Creek
$2,756/month
750 Sq Ft

Which San Marcos neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhoods in San Marcos with the most apartments available are University Commons, Old Creek Ranch and Camden Old Creek .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
University Commons
$2,756/month
750 Sq Ft
Old Creek Ranch
$2,756/month
750 Sq Ft
Camden Old Creek
$2,756/month
750 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

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

Because the average rent in San Marcos is $2,515, you’ll want to make about $8,383 per month or $100,596 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.

City

San Marcos, CA

582 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

How does San Marcos, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?

Use the tool below to compare San Marcos, 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 Marcos Area Guide

Apartment Averages

University Commons

San Marcos, CA

University Commons

San Marcos, CA

Studio
-
-
One Bedroom
$2,750/month
$2,750/month
Two Bedroom
$3,231/month
$3,231/month
Three Bedroom
$4,005/month
$4,005/month
View Rentals
View Rentals

Compare Rent Trends Nearby

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

  • Vista

    Vista

    Avg Rent: $2,235/month

  • Escondido

    Escondido

    Avg Rent: $1,949/month

  • Carlsbad

    Carlsbad

    Avg Rent: $2,704/month

Apartment Communities in San Marcos We Think You'll Love

Hadley Apartments - A 55+ Lifestyle Community

Hadley Apartments - A 55+ Lifestyle Community

1045 Morning View Dr,
Escondido, CA 92026

1-2 Beds | $1,869 - $2,360

222 North City

222 North City

222 N City Dr,
San Marcos, CA 92096

Studio - 4 Beds | $2,609 - $12,910

Palomar Station

Palomar Station

1257 Armorlite Dr,
San Marcos, CA 92069

Studio - 3 Beds | $2,663 - $4,071

Coastal Living at San Marcos 55+ Community

Coastal Living at San Marcos 55+ Community

768 Woodward St,
San Marcos, CA 92069

1-2 Beds | $2,400 - $2,950

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in San Marcos?

The average rent in San Marcos is $2,515 per month, which is 51.1% higher than the national average of $1,665.

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

The average rent for a house in San Marcos, CA is $4,304 per month.

Are rents going up or down in San Marcos?

Rents in San Marcos, CA are increasing, with prices up 3.9% year-over-year and $98 more per month.

What rent range is most common in San Marcos?

In San Marcos, CA, 73% of apartments fall above $2,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.

United States California San Marcos 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 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.

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© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity

Equal Housing Opportunity

© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc.

Equal Housing Opportunity