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Apartments for Rent in San Marcos, CA

146 Rentals Available
Apartments for Rent in San Marcos, CA. 146 Rentals Available
  • a living room and kitchen with a table and chairs
    Today

    1045 Armorlite Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069
    STUDIO $2,527+
    1 BED $2,625+
    2 BEDS $3,212+
  • a living room with a kitchen and a table with chairs
    Today

    240 Las Flores Dr., San Marcos, CA 92069
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a living room with a couch and a coffee table and a kitchen
    Today

    850 Village Drive, San Marcos, CA 92078
    1 BED $2,350
    2 BEDS $2,794+
  • a living room with red walls and furniture
    Today

    3474 Descanso Avenue, San Marcos, CA 92078
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a kitchen with white cabinets and a sink and a ceiling fan
    Today

    353 West San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92069
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS $2,550
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  • a living room with a couch and chairs and a kitchen with a table
    Today

    250 North City Drive, San Marcos, CA 92078
    1 BED $2,509+
    2 BEDS $3,381+
  • 570 East Barham Drive 1-3 Beds Apartment for Rent
    Today

    570 East Barham Drive, San Marcos, CA 92078
    1 BED $2,281+
    2 BEDS $3,013+
    3 BEDS $3,607+
  • a kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops
    Today

    468 North Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos, CA 92069
    2 BEDS $2,875
    3 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a kitchen with white appliances and black counter tops and white cabinets
    Today

    420 Smilax Road, San Marcos, CA 92078
    1 BED $2,295+
    2 BEDS $2,645+
    3 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a kitchen with white appliances and dark cabinets
    Today

    342-358 Pleasant Way, San Marcos, CA 92069
    2 BEDS $2,395
  • an empty kitchen with white cabinets and a stainless steel refrigerator
    Today

    233 W. San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92069
    1 BED $1,975
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
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  • a living room with a couch and a coffee table
    Today

    2152 Silverado St, San Marcos, CA 92078
    3 BEDS $3,800
  • the swimming pool at our apartments in palm springs
    Today

    339-340 Marcos Street, San Marcos, CA 92069
    Income Restricted
  • a playground with a slide in front of some apartments
    Today

    422 Los Vallecitos, San Marcos, CA 92069
    Income Restricted
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
    3 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a playground with a blue and red swing set
    Today

    432 W. Mission Road -106, San Marcos, CA 92069
    Income Restricted
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
    3 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a dining area with tables and chairs in a library
    Today

    1820 Melrose Drive, San Marcos, CA 92078
    Income Restricted
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
    3 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • an aerial view of a city with buildings with solar panels on the roof
    Today

    340 Marcos Street, San Marcos, CA 92069
    Income Restricted
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
    3 BEDS Ask for Pricing
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  • More Rentals Near San Marcos, CA

  • a small pink house with a porch and a deck
    Today

    210 Lobelia Drive, Vista, CA 92083
    1 BED $1,950
  • a living room with a dining room table and a ceiling fan
    Today

    920 Sycamore Ave., Vista, CA 92081
    2 BEDS $2,650
    3 BEDS $3,000
  • a small green house with a brick chimney and rocks
    Today

    1732 York Dr, Vista, CA 92084
    3 BEDS $3,000
  • a living room with a couch and a desk and a window
    Today

    856 Heatherwood Lane, Vista, CA 92081
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a living room with a couch and a table
    Today

    1982 Wellington Lane #80, Vista, CA 92081
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS $2,872+
    3 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • a living room and kitchen with a table and chairs
    Today

    1850 Thibodo Rd, Vista, CA 92081
    1 BED $2,604+
    2 BEDS $3,536+
    3 BEDS $3,935+
  • a living room with furniture and a fireplace
    Today

    1500 Shadowridge Drive, Vista, CA 92081
    1 BED $2,295+
    2 BEDS $2,705+
  • an open living room with a couch and a dining room table
    Today

    439 W El Norte Parkway, Ste 102, Escondido, CA 92026
    STUDIO $1,725+
    1 BED $1,996+
    2 BEDS $2,147+
17-8-city
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San Marcos, CA rent trends

Rental prices in San Marcos, CA have decreased by 0.27% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,709 to $2,702.

Check out the average rent prices in San Marcos by neighborhood.

Compared to the national average rent of $1,741, the average rent in San Marcos, CA is $2,702.

Average rent in San Marcos, CA

$2,702/mo San Marcos, CA average rental price, January 2026
Image Average Rent

The average monthly rent of apartments in San Marcos, CA is $2,702.

    What's the typical rent budget in San Marcos, CA?

    About 41% of apartment rents in San Marcos, CA range between $2,501-$3,000. Meanwhile, apartments around > $3,000 represent 24% of apartments. Around 26% of San Marcos’s apartments are in the $2,001-$2,500 price range. 8% of apartments are priced between $1,501-$2,000.

    The largest share of rentals in San Marcos, CA (41%) fall between $2,501-$3,000 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.

    Getting around in San Marcos, CA

    68 /100
    Somewhat Walkable
    50 /100
    Bikeable
    Walk Score®: 68, Bike Score®: 50

    Frequently asked questions

    When were prices and availability in San Marcos, CA last updated?

    Prices and availability in San Marcos, CA were last updated on 22 Feb 2026.

    What are the best apartments in San Marcos, CA?

    The best apartments in San Marcos, CA are: Marc San Marcos, Vista Flores Apartments, Crest 850, Meadow Creek Apartments and Benchmark Apartments.

    What is the average rent in San Marcos, CA?

    The average rent in San Marcos, CA is $2,636.

    What is the price range for a studio apartment in San Marcos, CA?

    The price range for a studio apartment in San Marcos, CA is between $2,527 and $4,331.

    What is the price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Marcos, CA?

    The price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Marcos, CA is between $1,975 and $6,623.

    What is the price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Marcos, CA?

    The price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Marcos, CA is between $1,975 and $6,276.

    What is the price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Marcos, CA?

    The price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Marcos, CA is between $2,295 and $6,623.

    What type of rental buildings are in San Marcos, CA?

    In San Marcos 37% of the housing is rented out compared to 63% of homes are owned, according to the most recent Census Bureau estimates. 28% of San Marcos's apartments are found in large buildings of 50 units or more, 46% are located in smaller apartment complexes with less than 50 units, and 18% are single-family rentals.

    What do typical apartment communities look like in San Marcos, CA?

    The age and size of multifamily buildings are among the most visible characteristics of the rental market in a city. In this case, the apartment buildings in San Marcos are about 22 years old, on average. Of these, 58% have been built since 2000, representing the newer options on the market and typically offering more amenities. Rental buildings in the city have an average height of 3 stories. About 96% of the rental communities here are low-rise, garden-style communities, 4% are mid-rises, and none are high-rise buildings. These are true especially for large-scale multifamily buildings with over 50 apartments.

    What apartment floorplans are common in San Marcos, CA?

    Studio apartments in San Marcos are around 2% of rentals, while 1-bedroom floor plans represent 31% of the total stock. For those in search of larger rentals, 2-bedroom floorplans make up 52% of all rentals. More generous apartments with 3 bedrooms or more are also available in this city for those in search of more space.

    Renter's guide to San Marcos, CA

    San Marcos, CA is a small city (approximately 24 square miles) in foothills of North County San Diego. It is just 6 miles inland from the coast and approximately 30 miles from downtown San Diego. San Marcos is 98.4 miles from Los Angeles and 27.6 miles from Temecula. It’s known for having a diverse, older community and is one of the more affordable cities in the area.

    San Marcos weather, like much of southern California, is sunny and warm for most of the year. The average high in July is 88°F while the coldest temperature in January hovers around 37°F and it never snows. Because of its proximity to the coast, summer heat tends to come in July and last until September, with May and June being more overcast.

    Tips for renting in San Marcos, CA

    San Marcos rentals are overseen by the Housing and Neighborhood Services Department, which makes sure housing is non-discriminatory and accessible to the disabled. While there is no rent control for San Diego, tenants in a year lease cannot have their rent raised until the term is up. Otherwise, 30 days’ notice must be given before any increase.

    San Marcos also has a number of manufactured home communities (formerly known as mobile homes) that do have their own rent control ordinance. In these areas, rents can only be raised in conjunction with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

    Apartments for rent in San Marcos, Ca tend to be very competitive. Therefore, it is always best to show up on time for an appointment with as much of your documentation handy as possible (i.e. paycheck stubs and/or bank account information). And the best way to find a place to live in San Marcos, California is right here on RentCAFE.com – start your search today!

    Things for renting

    Living in San Marcos, CA

    San Marcos has an excellent public transportation system and you are just minutes from the beach at Carlsbad or Escondido. Because of the coastal fog, it tends to stay a bit cooler than cities more inland. On the downside, there is a bit more violent crime in San Marcos than the national average, traffic and congestion can be an issue, and it’s still expensive to live there—at least compared to cities not in California.

    San Marcos, CA is a fairly diverse city, with close to half of the population white, closely followed by the Hispanic community. Other ethnicities representing just over a tenth of the city’s population include Asian, African-American and Pacific Islander.

    Things to do in San Marcos, CA

    There are a lot of things to do in San Marcos for for families, couples, as well as singles. Golfers will love that there are three courses within the city’s limits. Lake San Marcos offers boating and the brand new Sunset Park has an area for dogs and a majestic ocean view.

    Things to do

    Old California Restaurant Row in downtown San Marcos is comprised of 18 different eating establishments for every taste and budget. You can bring the family to Acapulco’s or sneak away with your spouse for date night at Katsu Sushi and Teppan Grill.

    The City of San Marcos has a wide variety of annual cultural events including San Marcos Summer Music Fest and and Free Concerts in the Gardens. Every spring, San Marcos Alive celebrates local artists with shows and craft fairs, and San Marcos Theater West gives kids 7-17 an opportunity to perform on stage at the community center.

    Things to do

    San Marcos, CA employment & economy

    San Marcos CA jobs are primarily centered around education as some of the top employers are its school district and universities. Other major companies in the area include Hunter Industries (responsible for commercial and residential irrigation), followed by UPS and Kaiser Permanente.

    There is a strong push by the cities of North County for more businesses to develop and grow here with a program called Innovate 78 (named after highway 78 that runs through the corridor).

    Education in San Marcos, CA

    Children under 18 are served by the San Marcos Unified School District, one of the largest in San Diego County, which rates favorably with both teachers and parents. Higher education choices are the two-year Palomar College as well as the new California State University San Marcos, which has a beautiful campus and a growing reputation.

    Look for apartments near me

    Are you looking to land that one apartment near you that ticks all the boxes? Now you can browse through available RentCafe apartment listings in your area, rated and reviewed by verified residents. Comparing the size, price, amenities and location of apartments for rent near you is easier than ever. Do you feel like expanding the search beyond your neighborhood and ZIP code? Browse apartments for rent in your city and state to find the best fit, wherever you are in the U.S. Somewhere out there is the perfect apartment just waiting for you.

    Whether you're looking for a studio, an apartment with one or more bedrooms, or maybe you're upgrading to a luxury apartment or need to acommodate a pet, RentCafe allows you to easily search for a rental near you based on your criteria, anywhere in the U.S. So, let's find your new home today!

    RentCafe is your one-stop shop for finding a great new apartment in San Marcos, CA. Easily search through a wide selection of apartments for rent in San Marcos, CA, and view detailed information about available rentals including floor plans, pricing, photos, amenities, interactive maps, and thorough property descriptions. Property owners and managers are one click away, so feel free to contact them and find out all you need to know about the apartment you're interested in. Browse San Marcos, CA apartments with rents starting from $1,725 and submit your rental application today!

    Finding a home nearby is easier than you think. Check out our Apartments Near Me page and take your pick!