San Diego, CA Rental Market Trends
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in San Diego is $2,044, a 1% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,019.
Studio apartments in San Diego rent for $1,483 a month, while 1-bedroom apartments ask on average $1,798 a month; the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $2,207.
Average Rent in San Diego, CA
Last updated Oct 2018
| All rentals | Studio | 1 Bed | 2 Beds | 3 Beds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,044 | $1,483 | $1,798 | $2,207 | $2,784 |
| Y-o-Y Change | 1% | 2% | 1% | 1% | n/a |
| Average Apartment Size | 827 sq. ft. | 454 sq. ft. | 674 sq. ft. | 971 sq. ft. | 1,300 sq. ft. |
The average size for a San Diego apartment is 827 square feet, but this number varies greatly depending on apartment type. A studio averages 454 sq. ft., while a one-bedroom apartment offers a more generous square footage: 674. 2-bedroom apartments in San Diego have an average size of 971 sq. ft.
San Diego, CA Apartment Rent Ranges
- $701-$1,00015%
- $1,001-$1,50039%
- $1,501-$2,00037%
- > $2,0009%
San Diego, CA Rent Trends
| Average Rent All rentals | Studio | 1 Bed | 2 Beds | 3 Beds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct / 2018 | $2,044 | $1,483 | $1,798 | $2,207 | $2,784 |
| Jan / 2018 | $2,043 | $1,474 | $1,799 | $2,207 | $2,784 |
| Sept / 2017 | $2,028 | $1,479 | $1,793 | $2,190 | $2,773 |
| May / 2017 | $2,019 | $1,455 | $1,781 | $2,181 | $2,797 |
| Jan / 2017 | $1,936 | $1,406 | $1,701 | $2,088 | $2,702 |
| Sept / 2016 | $1,963 | $1,414 | $1,715 | $2,132 | $2,737 |
| May / 2016 | $1,929 | $1,348 | $1,693 | $2,096 | $2,655 |
| Jan / 2016 | $1,870 | $1,320 | $1,646 | $2,026 | $2,552 |
| Sept / 2015 | $1,864 | $1,329 | $1,648 | $2,018 | $2,483 |
| May / 2015 | $1,797 | $1,283 | $1,580 | $1,952 | $2,383 |
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Average Rent in San Diego, CA By Neighborhood
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| Average Rent | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood | All rentals | Studio | 1 Bed | 2 Beds | 3 Beds |
| Corridor | $1,440 | $1,088 | $1,256 | $1,583 | $1,483 |
| Cherokee Point | $1,440 | $1,088 | $1,256 | $1,583 | $1,483 |
| Teralta West | $1,446 | $1,138 | $1,233 | $1,530 | $1,483 |
| Swan Canyon | $1,446 | $1,138 | $1,233 | $1,530 | $1,483 |
| Islenair | $1,446 | $1,138 | $1,233 | $1,530 | $1,483 |
| Fox Canyon | $1,446 | $1,138 | $1,233 | $1,530 | $1,483 |
| Fairmount Village | $1,446 | $1,138 | $1,233 | $1,530 | $1,483 |
| Fairmont Park | $1,446 | $1,138 | $1,233 | $1,530 | $1,483 |
| Chollas Creek | $1,446 | $1,138 | $1,233 | $1,530 | $1,483 |
| Castle | $1,446 | $1,138 | $1,233 | $1,530 | $1,483 |
| Azalea - Hollywood Park | $1,446 | $1,138 | $1,233 | $1,530 | $1,483 |
| Ridgeview - Webster | $1,498 | $1,113 | $1,328 | $1,577 | $1,483 |
| Linda Vista | $1,628 | $1,333 | $1,456 | $1,667 | $2,176 |
| Clairemont Mesa West | $1,638 | $1,293 | $1,455 | $1,755 | $2,228 |
| Clairemont Mesa East | $1,638 | $1,293 | $1,455 | $1,755 | $2,228 |
| North Clairemont | $1,646 | $1,256 | $1,455 | $1,829 | $2,383 |
| Lake Murray | $1,661 | $1,152 | $1,569 | $1,902 | $2,052 |
| Torrey Pines Preserve | $1,691 | $1,302 | $1,598 | $1,900 | $2,800 |
| Sorrento Valley | $1,691 | $1,302 | $1,598 | $1,900 | $2,800 |
| University Heights | $1,720 | $1,345 | $1,599 | $2,081 | $2,446 |
| Bay Ho | $1,729 | $1,399 | $1,586 | $1,952 | $2,487 |
| Sunset Cliffs | $1,770 | $1,135 | $1,595 | $2,053 | $2,676 |
| Ocean Beach | $1,770 | $1,135 | $1,595 | $2,053 | $2,676 |
| Bay Park | $1,791 | $1,120 | $1,480 | $2,017 | $2,932 |
| Morena | $1,794 | $1,157 | $1,485 | $1,955 | $2,625 |
| Mission Hills South | $1,797 | $1,367 | $1,695 | $2,200 | $2,446 |
| Hillcrest | $1,797 | $1,367 | $1,695 | $2,200 | $2,446 |
| Teralta East | $1,803 | $1,376 | $1,322 | $1,802 | $1,931 |
| Redwood Village | $1,803 | $1,376 | $1,322 | $1,802 | $1,931 |
| Oak Park | $1,803 | $1,376 | $1,322 | $1,802 | $1,931 |
| El Cerrito | $1,803 | $1,376 | $1,322 | $1,802 | $1,931 |
| Colina del Sol | $1,803 | $1,376 | $1,322 | $1,802 | $1,931 |
| San Carlos | $1,844 | $1,200 | $1,591 | $1,991 | $2,846 |
| Talmadge | $1,878 | $1,382 | $1,336 | $1,859 | $2,347 |
| Rolando Park | $1,878 | $1,382 | $1,336 | $1,859 | $2,347 |
| Rolando | $1,878 | $1,382 | $1,336 | $1,859 | $2,347 |
| College View Estates | $1,878 | $1,382 | $1,336 | $1,859 | $2,347 |
| Alvarado Estates | $1,878 | $1,382 | $1,336 | $1,859 | $2,347 |
| Pacific Beach | $1,893 | $1,538 | $1,771 | $2,436 | $3,333 |
| Mission Beach | $1,893 | $1,538 | $1,771 | $2,436 | $3,333 |
| Mission Bay | $1,893 | $1,538 | $1,771 | $2,436 | $3,333 |
| Old Town San Diego | $1,899 | $1,147 | $1,583 | $2,228 | $3,129 |
| Mission Hills | $1,899 | $1,147 | $1,583 | $2,228 | $3,129 |
| Point Loma Heights | $1,905 | $979 | $1,567 | $2,202 | $3,112 |
| College Area | $1,915 | $1,314 | $1,432 | $1,910 | $2,561 |
| Kearny Mesa | $1,936 | $1,413 | $1,779 | $2,017 | $2,338 |
| Loma Portal | $1,940 | $927 | $1,559 | $2,241 | $3,144 |
| Del Cerro | $2,002 | $1,256 | $1,611 | $2,087 | $2,922 |
| Allied Gardens | $2,002 | $1,256 | $1,611 | $2,087 | $2,922 |
| Mira Mesa | $2,025 | $1,473 | $1,752 | $2,140 | $2,715 |
| Serra Mesa | $2,134 | $1,701 | $1,947 | $2,216 | $2,472 |
| Birdland | $2,134 | $1,701 | $1,947 | $2,216 | $2,472 |
| Midway | $2,144 | $1,547 | $2,022 | $2,603 | $3,438 |
| Mission Valley West | $2,145 | $1,255 | $1,871 | $2,371 | $3,195 |
| Miramar | $2,150 | $1,657 | $1,854 | $2,315 | $3,031 |
| Balboa Park | $2,158 | $1,597 | $2,126 | $2,650 | $4,071 |
| Midtown San Diego | $2,162 | $1,588 | $2,115 | $2,723 | $3,998 |
| Bankers Hill - Park West | $2,162 | $1,588 | $2,115 | $2,723 | $3,998 |
| Grantville | $2,182 | $1,529 | $1,924 | $2,353 | $3,193 |
| University City | $2,200 | $1,733 | $1,884 | $2,410 | $3,300 |
| Petco Park | $2,225 | $1,610 | $2,206 | $2,827 | $4,071 |
| Mission Valley East | $2,225 | $1,744 | $1,987 | $2,422 | $3,278 |
| Marina | $2,225 | $1,610 | $2,206 | $2,827 | $4,071 |
| Little Italy | $2,225 | $1,610 | $2,206 | $2,827 | $4,071 |
| Horton Plaza | $2,225 | $1,610 | $2,206 | $2,827 | $4,071 |
| Harborview | $2,225 | $1,610 | $2,206 | $2,827 | $4,071 |
| Gaslamp | $2,225 | $1,610 | $2,206 | $2,827 | $4,071 |
| East Village | $2,225 | $1,610 | $2,206 | $2,827 | $4,071 |
| Cortez | $2,225 | $1,610 | $2,206 | $2,827 | $4,071 |
| Core - Columbia | $2,225 | $1,610 | $2,206 | $2,827 | $4,071 |
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The most affordable neighborhoods in San Diego are Cherokee Point, where the average rent goes for $1,440/month, Corridor, where renters pay $1,440/mo on average, and Azalea - Hollywood Park, where the average rent goes for $1,446/mo. If you’re looking for other great deals, check out the listings from Castle ($1,446), Chollas Creek ($1,446), and Fairmont Park ($1,446), where the asking prices are below the average San Diego rent of $2,044/mo.
The most expensive neighborhoods in San Diego are Marina ($2,225), Mission Valley East ($2,225) and Petco Park ($2,225).
San Diego | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Allied Gardens is 7% higher than in Alvarado Estates
$2,002
Allied Gardens rent is 2% lower than San Diego average
| All rentals | $2,002 |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,256 |
| 1 Bed | $1,611 |
| 2 Beds | $2,087 |
| 3 Beds | $2,922 |
$1,878
Alvarado Estates rent is 8% lower than San Diego average
| All rentals | $1,878 |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,382 |
| 1 Bed | $1,336 |
| 2 Beds | $1,859 |
| 3 Beds | $2,347 |
How Does San Diego Compare to Nearby Cities
| Average Rent | Y-o-Y Change | |
|---|---|---|
| El Cajon City | $1,450 | 2% |
| San Diego | $2,044 | 1% |
| El Cajon | $1,450 | 2% |
| La Mesa | $1,637 | 2% |
| La Mesa City | $1,637 | 2% |
| Chula Vista | $1,655 | 1% |
| Carlsbad | $2,185 | 2% |
| Escondido City | $1,534 | 4% |
| San Marcos City | $1,958 | 7% |
| Vista | $1,705 | 3% |
| Escondido | $1,534 | 4% |
For more information about the San Diego rental trends, check out our monthly rent report
Cheapest Listings on RENTCafé
- Doriana
- Pacific Village
- Royal Village
- Corinthian Apartments
- Modernaire Apartments
- Stonewood Gardens
- 10th & G
- Navajo Bluffs
- Pacific Point
- 7th & G
- Solstice Apartment Homes
- Casoleil
- Summer Brook
- Oro Vista Villas
- Mission Trails Apartments San Diego
- Crandall Apartments
- Legacy Apartment Homes
- Gables Point Loma
- Sixth&G
- Mesa Ridge
Mid-priced Listings on RENTCafé
Most Expensive Listings on RENTCafé
- Nobel Court
- Ariva Apartments
- Alberts College
- La Jolla Crossroads*
- La Jolla Park West
- Ascent at Campus of Life
- Regents Court Apartments
- RiverEdge Terrace
- Valentia
- Westbrook Apartments
- Sofi Westview
- Sofi Canyon Hills
- Oceanview
- Avino
- Sola
- The Reserve at 4S Ranch
- Sofi Highlands
- 25 on Fifth
- Altura
- Ocean Air
The rental statistics on this page were compiled using data provided by our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution which offers comprehensive information on all San Diego apartment buildings 50 units or larger. Yardi Matrix covers ~80% of the U.S. metro area population, including over 80,000 properties and 15.2 million apartments across 124 U.S. markets.