San Diego County, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: April 22, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in San Diego County is $2,756, a 0.41% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,767.
Studio Apartments at $2,168 offer the most budget-friendly option with 496 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 694 square feet for $2,447, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $2,945 offer 989 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,270 sq ft) for $3,616, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in San Diego County, CA
Last updated: April 22, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,756 | 867 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,168 | 496 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,447 | 694 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $2,945 | 989 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,616 | 1,270 sq. ft. |
San Diego County, CA rent trends
What's the typical rent budget in San Diego County, CA?
The largest share of rentals in San Diego County, CA (31%) 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 County, CA?
526,843 or 45% of the households in San Diego County, CA are renter-occupied while 632,194 or 55% are owner-occupied.
How San Diego County Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| San Diego County | $2,756 |
| Los Angeles | $2,736 |
| East Bay | $2,661 |
| San Diego | $2,960 |
| San Francisco | $3,724 |
| Oakland | $2,600 |
| Long Beach | $2,672 |
| Sacramento | $1,873 |
| San Jose | $3,120 |
| Alameda | $3,012 |
| Fresno | $1,622 |
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 County 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.