San Diego, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: May 16, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in San Diego is $2,968, a 0.8% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,992.
Studio Apartments at $2,193 offer the most budget-friendly option with 510 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 709 square feet for $2,653, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $3,243 offer 1,032 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,310 sq ft) for $3,987, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in San Diego, CA
Last updated: May 16, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,968 | 877 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,193 | 510 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,653 | 709 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $3,243 | 1,032 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,987 | 1,310 sq. ft. |
San Diego, CA rent trends
Rental prices in San Diego, CA have decreased by 0.8% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,992 to $2,968.
What's the typical rent budget in San Diego, CA?
The largest share of rentals in San Diego, CA (42%) 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 San Diego, CA?
279,312 or 53% of the households in San Diego, CA are renter-occupied while 251,100 or 47% are owner-occupied.
How San Diego Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| San Diego | $2,968 |
| Los Angeles | $2,749 |
| San Francisco | $3,826 |
| East Bay | $2,704 |
| Sacramento | $1,899 |
| San Jose | $3,193 |
| Oakland | $2,621 |
| Tulare | $1,687 |
| Sunnyvale | $3,499 |
| Mountain View | $3,825 |
| Riverside | $2,233 |
| Oceanside, CA | $2,616 |
| Chula Vista, CA | $2,635 |
| Escondido, CA | $2,205 |
| Murrieta, CA | $2,376 |
| Carlsbad, CA | $3,244 |
| El Cajon, CA | $2,195 |
| La Mesa, CA | $2,430 |
| San Marcos, CA | $2,679 |
| Encinitas, CA | $3,044 |
| Temecula, CA | $2,349 |
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 San Diego 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.