100 Best Apartments in San Marcos, CA (with reviews)

Q: What are the best apartments in San Marcos, CA?

The best apartments in San Marcos, CA are: Crest 850 , Barham Villas , Block C Apartments , Marc San Marcos and Palomar Station .

Popular searches Average rent Renters guide Demographics

Rent prices in cities near San Marcos, CA

Apartments in Aliso Viejo $3,016
Apartments in Bonita $2,436
Apartments in Canyon Lake
Apartments in Carlsbad $3,049
Apartments in Chula Vista $2,364
Apartments in Coronado $3,608
Apartments in Dana Point $3,623
Apartments in El Cajon $2,049
Apartments in Encinitas $2,539
Apartments in Escondido $2,102
Apartments in Fallbrook $1,636
Apartments in Hemet $1,685
Apartments in Imperial Beach $2,395
Apartments in La Jolla $3,284
Apartments in La Mesa $2,313
Apartments in Laguna Hills $2,758
Apartments in Laguna Niguel $3,034
Apartments in Lake Elsinore $2,089
Apartments in Lake Forest $2,797
Apartments in Lakeside $1,923
Apartments in Lemon Grove $1,844
Apartments in Menifee $2,310
Apartments in Mission Viejo $2,796
Apartments in Murrieta $2,523
Apartments in National City $1,704
Apartments in Oceanside $2,476
Apartments in Perris $1,454
Apartments in Poway $2,316
Apartments in Ramona $1,749
Apartments in Rancho Santa Margarita $2,777
Apartments in San Clemente $2,909
Apartments in San Diego $2,916
Apartments in San Ysidro $1,781
Apartments in Santee $2,255
Apartments in Spring Valley $2,231
Apartments in Sun City $2,234
Apartments in Temecula $2,339
Apartments in Vista $2,393
Apartments in Wildomar $3,108
Apartments in Winchester $2,216

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Average rent in San Marcos, CA

$2,509/mo San Marcos, CA average rental price, November 2022

The average monthly rent of apartments in San Marcos, CA is $2,509.

San Marcos, CA apartment rent ranges

San Marcos, CA rent trends

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

Compared to the national average rent of $1,706, the average rent in San Marcos, CA is $2,509.

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 5 Dec 2022.

What are the best apartments in San Marcos, CA?

The best apartments in San Marcos, CA are: Crest 850, Barham Villas, Block C Apartments, Marc San Marcos and Palomar Station.

What is the average rent in San Marcos, CA?

The average rent in San Marcos, CA is $2,509. Start your search for apartments in San Marcos, CA now.

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 $2,292 and $4,610. View all studio apartments in San Marcos, CA.

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 $792 and $4,751. Browse all available 1-bedroom apartments in San Marcos, CA now.

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 $792 and $5,000. Browse and find a 2-bedroom apartment in San Marcos, CA.

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 $792 and $5,549. Browse all available 3-bedroom apartments in San Marcos, CA.

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. 26% 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 23% are single-family rentals.

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

The average age of rental buildings in San Marcos is 22 years old, with 56% being newer apartment buildings completed since 2000. The average height of apartment buildings in the city is 2 stories, of which 77% are garden-style apartment communities, 4% are mid-sized buildings, and none are high-rises. These characteristics describe large-scale apartment communities of 50 apartments or more.

What apartment floorplans are common in San Marcos, CA?

Rental apartments in San Marcos come in a range of sizes and floorplans. Studio apartments represent 2% of units for rent, ideal for singles, renters on a budget and people who value central locations more than space. Rentals with 1-bedroom floorplans make up 31% of the total apartments in the city, while 2-bedroom floorplans represent around 53% of all rentals in San Marcos. The rest are larger floorplans with 3 bedrooms or more, typically preferred by families, larger households or roommates sharing 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!

San Marcos, CA demographics

96,219Total Population
48,060 Female

48,159 Male
35Median Age

San Marcos, CA has a population of 96,219 according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. 48,060 of San Marcos’s residents are women and 48,159 are men. The median age of those who live in San Marcos, CA is 35.

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.

San Marcos, CA households

22,309 Family

7,440 Non-family
12,681 Children

17,068 No Children

29,749Total Number of Households
3.2Average People Per Household
$86,408Median Household Income

According to U.S. Census data, there are 29,749 households in San Marcos, CA. 22,309 are family households and 7,440 are non-family households. There are 12,681 households with children in San Marcos and 17,068 households without children. On average, about 3.2 people live in a household in San Marcos, CA.

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.

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.

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.

San Marcos, CA education statistics

The level of education of the population of San Marcos, CA is as follows: 7% have no high school education, 26% completed some high school, 25% partially completed college, 8% have an Associate Degree, 24% have a Bachelor Degree, and 10% have a Graduate Degree.

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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 $792 and submit your rental application today!

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Apartments for Rent in San Marcos, CA 124 Rentals Available

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