Average Rent in San Marcos, CA

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Current Versus Historical San Marcos, CA Rents

San Marcos rentals average $2,395 for a 1-bedroom rental to $5,625 for a 4-bedroom rental. The median price of all currently available listings is $4,750, or roughly $35 per square feet.

For the apartment units and housing in September 2026, median rents have fallen substantially over the last year. Studio rentals prices have increased by $0 (0.00%) year-over-year from $14,198 to $14,198. 1-bedroom rentals prices have decreased by $551 (-18.70%) year-over-year from $2,946 to $2,395. 2-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $0 (0.00%) year-over-year from $3,350 to $3,350. 3-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $5,600 (149.33%) year-over-year from $3,750 to $9,350. 4-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $807 (16.91%) year-over-year from $4,769 to $5,575. 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 down by 0.00% this month. 1-bedroom rents have gone down by 9.48% this month. 2-bedroom rents have gone up by 7.78% this month. 3-bedroom rents have gone up by 66.74% this month. 4-bedroom rents have gone down by 0.74% this month.

Beds	Price / Sqft	Sep 2026 Rent	1 Yr Ago Rent (% +/-)	3 Yr Ago Rent (% +/-)
1 BR	$46.35	$2,395	$2,946 (-18.70%)	$1,929 (24.15%)
2 BR	$35.40	$3,350	$3,350 (0.00%)	$2,872 (16.66%)
3 BR	$57.99	$9,350	$3,750 (149.33%)	$3,580 (161.20%)
4+ BR	$22.35	$5,575	$4,769 (16.91%)	$4,315 (29.20%)

Historical Rents in San Marcos, CA

Studio

1 Bed

2 Bed

3 Bed

4 Bed

Top Cities Near San Marcos

There are a total of 4 cities nearby San Marcos. The average rent in San Marcos is currently $7,473 per month. Only one city nearby has an average rent lower than that. Our records show that Oceanside, CA, with an average rent of $4,200, is the most affordable city nearby. In contrast, the most expensive city near San Marcos, CA is Del Mar, CA. Monthly rents here are on average $10,000 per month.

Let's compare San Marcos, CA's rent against other top cities nearby by bedroom size. One bedrooms are about 43.01% more affordable. Two bedrooms in San Marcos, CA are about 53.91% more affordable. Finally, rent for three bedrooms are about 15.16% more expensive. Want more information? Check out the top 4 cities near San Marcos, CA in the following table.

City	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
Oceanside, CA	N/A	$2,295	$4,075	$4,200
Carlsbad, CA	N/A	$3,350	$4,150	$5,950
Encinitas, CA	$2,675	$3,500	$5,700	$8,995
Del Mar, CA	N/A	$6,500	$8,500	$10,000

Top Neighborhoods Near San Marcos

There are a total of 1 neighborhoods in or near San Marcos. One neighborhood in the area is Del Mar. We've included all of these top 1 neighborhoods in or near San Marcos, CA in the following table.

The average rent for these 1 neighborhoods in or near San Marcos, CA is currently around $10,000 per month. Interestingly, the neighborhoods' average rent is higher than San Marcos's average rent, which is only $4,750. Out of all the neighborhoods in or near San Marcos, Del Mar has the most affordable average rent at $10,000 per month. Whereas, at $10,000 average rent per month, Del Mar is the most expensive neighborhood in or near San Marcos. View the following table for more information.

Neighborhood	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
Del Mar, CA	N/A	$6,500	$8,500	$10,000

Top Counties Near San Marcos

County	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All

Top Zipcodes Near San Marcos

There are a total of 2 zipcodes in or near San Marcos, CA. The average rent for all of these zipcodes is $6,661. One zipcode has an average rent that is lower than that. The zipcode with the most affordable average rent for apartment listings is 92130, San Diego, CA at $4,325 per month. In comparison, the zipcode with the most expensive average rent of $8,997 per month is 92024, Encinitas, CA.

Studios in these zipcodes have an average rent of $1,338. That's at least $40 per sqft. Do you need more space than that? Average rent for one bedroom rentals for the zipcodes in or near San Marcos, CA is $3,549 per month. Or in other words, $53 per sqft. Meanwhile, two bedroom apartments will cost you an average of $4,425 per month. Which comes out to $47 per sqft. The following table includes the top 2 zipcodes in San Marcos, CA. You can view the average rent breakdown for each zipcode by bedroom size.

Zipcode	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
92024, Encinitas, CA	$2,675	$4,225	$5,000	$8,997
92130, San Diego, CA	N/A	$2,873	$3,850	$4,325

Frequently Asked Questions - San Marcos Average Rents

What is the average rent price in San Marcos, CA?

The average monthly rental price for San Marcos, CA apartments for rent is approximately $4,750. This calculation takes into consideration rental listings of varying bedroom/bathroom sizes, building types, and locations.

Do San Marcos, 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 Marcos, CA.

How much is a one bedroom apartment in San Marcos, CA?

The average monthly rental price for one bedroom apartments is $2,395 and an average price per square feet of $46.35. There are a total of 1 one bedroom apartment listings currently available for rent in San Marcos.

How much is a two bedroom apartment in San Marcos, CA?

The average monthly rental price for two bedroom apartments is $3,200 and an average price per square feet of $35.40. There are a total of 9 two bedroom apartment listings currently available for rent in San Marcos.

How have rent prices in San Marcos, CA changed this year?

Rent prices for rentals in San Marcos, CA can fluctuate yearly. Specifically, studio rental prices have changed by 0.00%, one bedroom rental prices have changed by -0.19%, two bedroom rental prices have changed by 0.00%, three bedroom rental prices have changed by 1.49% year-over-year.

What is a reasonable rent price in San Marcos, CA?

A reasonable rent price in San Marcos, CA is around $3,800/month. You can search for these reasonably priced rental listings on RentHop.