Carlsbad, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: February 18, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Carlsbad is $3,242, a 2.16% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $3,174.
Studio Apartments at $2,287 offer the most budget-friendly option with 448 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 754 square feet for $2,907, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $3,358 offer 978 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,353 sq ft) for $3,926, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Carlsbad, CA
Last updated: February 18, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $3,242 | 929 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,287 | 448 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,907 | 754 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $3,358 | 978 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,926 | 1,353 sq. ft. |
Carlsbad, CA rent trends
Rental prices in Carlsbad, CA have increased by 2.16% over the past year. The average rent moved from $3,174 to $3,242.
What's the typical rent budget in Carlsbad, CA?
The largest share of rentals in Carlsbad, CA (66%) fall between $3,000- per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Carlsbad, CA?
16,127 or 37% of the households in Carlsbad, CA are renter-occupied while 27,854 or 63% are owner-occupied.
How Carlsbad Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Carlsbad | $3,242 |
| Los Angeles | $2,740 |
| San Francisco | $3,580 |
| East Bay | $2,643 |
| San Diego | $2,958 |
| Long Beach | $2,645 |
| Sacramento | $1,894 |
| San Jose | $3,118 |
| Oakland | $2,578 |
| Tulare | $1,674 |
| Santa Monica | $3,626 |
| Oceanside, CA | $2,602 |
| Chula Vista, CA | $2,623 |
| Murrieta, CA | $2,382 |
| Escondido, CA | $2,256 |
| El Cajon, CA | $2,199 |
| La Mesa, CA | $2,453 |
| San Marcos, CA | $2,702 |
| Laguna Niguel, CA | $2,958 |
| Encinitas, CA | $3,054 |
| Laguna Hills, CA | $2,798 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Carlsbad apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.