Average Rent in San Diego, CA

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Current Versus Historical San Diego, CA Rents

San Diego rentals average $1,950 for a studio rental to $7,180 for a 4-bedroom rental. The median price of all currently available listings is $3,800, or roughly $44 per square feet.
For the apartment units and housing in September 2026, median rents have risen substantially over the last year. Studio rentals prices have decreased by $312 (-12.45%) year-over-year from $2,507 to $2,195. 1-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $360 (15.22%) year-over-year from $2,365 to $2,725. 2-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $713 (22.42%) year-over-year from $3,182 to $3,895. 3-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $1,342 (30.96%) year-over-year from $4,333 to $5,675. 4-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $4,528 (83.49%) year-over-year from $5,423 to $9,950. Note that this figure includes all active and rented listings throughout the month.
Month-to-month, seasonality might have a bigger impact than overall trend price changes. Studio rents have gone up by 8.08% this month. 1-bedroom rents have gone up by 11.68% this month. 2-bedroom rents have gone up by 12.95% this month. 3-bedroom rents have gone up by 16.21% this month. 4-bedroom rents have gone up by 38.84% this month.
Beds
Price / Sqft
Sep 2026 Rent 1 Yr Ago Rent (% +/-) 3 Yr Ago Rent (% +/-)
Studio $60.85 $2,195 $2,507 (-12.45%) $1,765 (24.37%)
1 BR $48.22 $2,725 $2,365 (15.22%) $2,213 (23.12%)
2 BR $42.76 $3,895 $3,182 (22.42%) $2,962 (31.51%)
3 BR $40.25 $5,675 $4,333 (30.96%) $4,005 (41.70%)
4+ BR $40.14 $9,950 $5,423 (83.49%) $5,322 (86.97%)

Historical Rents in San Diego, CA

Studio
1 Bed
2 Bed
3 Bed
4 Bed

Top Cities Near San Diego

There are a total of 27 cities nearby San Diego. The average rent in San Diego is currently $4,100 per month. A total of 10 cities nearby have an average rent lower than that. Our records show that Hemet, CA, with an average rent of $1,900, is the most affordable city nearby. In contrast, the most expensive city near San Diego, CA is Del Mar, CA. Monthly rents here are on average $10,000 per month.

Let's compare San Diego, CA's rent against other top cities nearby by bedroom size. One bedrooms are about 1.50% more affordable. Two bedrooms in San Diego, CA are on par with the other cities nearby. Finally, rent for three bedrooms are about 10.15% more expensive. Want more information? Check out the top 10 cities out of 27 total cities near San Diego, CA in the following table.
City Studio 1 Bed 2 Bed All
Murrieta, CA N/A $2,675 $2,674 $3,199
Temecula, CA N/A $2,500 $2,350 $3,375
Chula Vista, CA $1,595 $2,244 $3,295 $3,573
Oceanside, CA N/A $2,295 $3,900 $4,200
San Clemente, CA $2,750 $2,538 $3,900 $4,980
Carlsbad, CA N/A $2,800 $3,975 $5,375
Dana Point, CA N/A $3,200 $5,150 $6,500
Coronado, CA $5,250 $5,650 $6,500 $7,500
Encinitas, CA $2,675 $4,500 $6,425 $8,200
Del Mar, CA N/A $6,250 $10,000 $10,000

Top Neighborhoods Near San Diego

There are a total of 9 neighborhoods in or near San Diego. Some of these neighborhoods include Irvine Business Complex, Pacific Beach, and Woodbridge. We've included all of these top 9 neighborhoods in or near San Diego, CA in the following table.

The average rent for these 9 neighborhoods in or near San Diego, CA is currently around $4,500 per month. A total of one neighborhood has a lower average rent. Meaning, only eight neighborhoods have a higher average rent than $4,500. Interestingly, the neighborhoods' average rent is higher than San Diego's average rent, which is only $3,800. Out of all the neighborhoods in or near San Diego, Irvine Business Complex has the most affordable average rent at $3,601 per month. Whereas, at $10,000 average rent per month, Del Mar is the most expensive neighborhood in or near San Diego. View the following table for more information.
Neighborhood Studio 1 Bed 2 Bed All
Irvine Business Complex, Irvine, CA $2,623 $2,800 $3,800 $3,601
Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA $3,650 $3,250 $4,150 $3,985
Woodbridge, Irvine, CA N/A $1,350 $3,800 $4,250
Carmel Valley, San Diego, CA N/A $2,850 $3,850 $4,300
Westpark, Irvine, CA N/A $2,850 $3,650 $4,500
Northwood, Irvine, CA N/A $2,150 $3,400 $4,998
Portola Springs, Orange County, CA N/A $1,980 $4,000 $5,000
Orange County Great Park, Irvine, CA N/A $1,450 $4,475 $5,900
Del Mar, CA N/A $6,250 $10,000 $10,000

Top Counties Near San Diego

There are a total of 2 counties located by San Diego, CA. Some of these counties include San Diego, CA and Orange, CA. The average rent for rentals in these counties is $4,500. That's roughly around $40 per sqft. The county that is the most affordable is San Diego, CA. Its average rent per month is $4,199. Vice versa, with an average rent of $4,800, Orange, CA is the most expensive county by San Diego, CA.

Typically, rent for studios in San Diego, CA is 14.10% more affordable than other counties nearby. In comparison, rent for one bedroom listings in San Diego, CA is 1.00% more affordable than other counties nearby. Finally, rent for two bedrooms in San Diego, CA is on par with the other counties nearby. We've listed all of these counties in the table below.
County Studio 1 Bed 2 Bed All
San Diego, CA $1,850 $2,500 $3,500 $4,199
Orange, CA $2,600 $2,550 $3,500 $4,800

Top Zipcodes Near San Diego

There are a total of 17 zipcodes in or near San Diego, CA. The average rent for all of these zipcodes is $4,300. A total of 5 zipcodes have an average rent that is lower than that. The zipcode with the most affordable average rent for apartment listings is 92115, San Diego, CA at $2,895 per month. In comparison, the zipcode with the most expensive average rent of $9,925 per month is 92037, San Diego, CA.

Studios in these zipcodes have an average rent of $1,695. That's at least $41 per sqft. Do you need more space than that? Average rent for one bedroom rentals for the zipcodes in or near San Diego, CA is $2,575 per month. Or in other words, $44 per sqft. Meanwhile, two bedroom apartments will cost you an average of $3,800 per month. Which comes out to $40 per sqft. The following table includes the top 10 zipcodes in San Diego, CA. You can view the average rent breakdown for each zipcode by bedroom size.
Zipcode Studio 1 Bed 2 Bed All
92037, San Diego, CA $4,300 $3,125 $7,700 $9,925
92101, San Diego, CA $2,500 $2,995 $4,695 $3,600
92115, San Diego, CA $1,700 $1,825 $2,775 $2,895
92109, San Diego, CA $3,200 $3,240 $4,300 $4,300
91913, Chula Vista, CA N/A $2,715 $3,500 $3,998
92130, San Diego, CA N/A $2,850 $3,850 $4,475
92618, Irvine, CA N/A $2,500 $3,800 $5,500
92620, Irvine, CA N/A $2,150 $3,700 $5,288
92672, San Clemente, CA $2,750 $2,575 $4,385 $4,725
92024, Encinitas, CA $2,675 $5,500 $5,000 $8,999

Frequently Asked Questions - San Diego Average Rents

What is the average rent price in San Diego, CA?
The average monthly rental price for San Diego, CA apartments for rent is approximately $3,800. This calculation takes into consideration rental listings of varying bedroom/bathroom sizes, building types, and locations.
Do San Diego, CA rent prices drop in winter?
Yes! On average we see a 3.4% drop in rental prices between the peak summer months and the slower winter months. With the added bonus of decreased competition from other renters looking to move, winter is generally considered the best time of the year to find an apartment for rent in San Diego, CA.
How much is a studio apartment in San Diego, CA?
The average monthly rental price for studio apartments is $1,950 and an average price per square feet of $60.85. There are a total of 35 studio apartment listings currently available for rent in San Diego.
How much is a one bedroom apartment in San Diego, CA?
The average monthly rental price for one bedroom apartments is $2,500 and an average price per square feet of $48.22. There are a total of 214 one bedroom apartment listings currently available for rent in San Diego.
How much is a two bedroom apartment in San Diego, CA?
The average monthly rental price for two bedroom apartments is $3,500 and an average price per square feet of $42.76. There are a total of 405 two bedroom apartment listings currently available for rent in San Diego.
How have rent prices in San Diego, CA changed this year?
Rent prices for rentals in San Diego, CA can fluctuate yearly. Specifically, studio rental prices have changed by -0.12%, one bedroom rental prices have changed by 0.15%, two bedroom rental prices have changed by 0.22%, three bedroom rental prices have changed by 0.31% year-over-year.
What is a reasonable rent price in San Diego, CA?
A reasonable rent price in San Diego, CA is around $3,040/month. You can search for these reasonably priced rental listings on RentHop.
Nearby Counties & Divisions