San Diego, CA Rental Market Trends
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in San Diego is $2,028, a 3% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,963.
Studio apartments in San Diego rent for $1,479 a month, while 1-bedroom apartments ask on average $1,793 a month; the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $2,190.
Average Rent in San Diego, CA
Last updated Apr 2018
| All rentals | Studio | 1 Bed | 2 Beds | 3 Beds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,028 | $1,479 | $1,793 | $2,190 | $2,773 |
| Y-o-Y Change | 3% | 5% | 5% | 3% | 1% |
| Average Apartment Size | 820 sq. ft. | 455 sq. ft. | 671 sq. ft. | 966 sq. ft. | 1,294 sq. ft. |
The average size for a San Diego apartment is 820 square feet, but this number varies greatly depending on apartment type. A studio averages 455 sq. ft., while a one-bedroom apartment offers a more generous square footage: 671. 2-bedroom apartments in San Diego have an average size of 966 sq. ft.
San Diego, CA Apartment Rent Ranges
- $701-$1,0003%
- $1,001-$1,50013%
- $1,501-$2,00039%
- > $2,00045%
San Diego, CA Rent Trends
| Average Rent All rentals | Studio | 1 Bed | 2 Beds | 3 Beds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr / 2018 | $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 |
| Jan / 2015 | $1,726 | $1,235 | $1,517 | $1,875 | $2,285 |
/
Average Rent in San Diego, CA By Neighborhood
/
| Average Rent | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood | All rentals | Studio | 1 Bed | 2 Beds | 3 Beds |
| Corridor | $1,418 | $1,104 | $1,248 | $1,539 | $1,495 |
| Cherokee Point | $1,418 | $1,104 | $1,248 | $1,539 | $1,495 |
| Teralta West | $1,420 | $1,095 | $1,237 | $1,477 | $1,495 |
| Swan Canyon | $1,420 | $1,095 | $1,237 | $1,477 | $1,495 |
| Islenair | $1,420 | $1,095 | $1,237 | $1,477 | $1,495 |
| Fox Canyon | $1,420 | $1,095 | $1,237 | $1,477 | $1,495 |
| Fairmount Village | $1,420 | $1,095 | $1,237 | $1,477 | $1,495 |
| Fairmont Park | $1,420 | $1,095 | $1,237 | $1,477 | $1,495 |
| Chollas Creek | $1,420 | $1,095 | $1,237 | $1,477 | $1,495 |
| Castle | $1,420 | $1,095 | $1,237 | $1,477 | $1,495 |
| Azalea - Hollywood Park | $1,420 | $1,095 | $1,237 | $1,477 | $1,495 |
| Ridgeview - Webster | $1,477 | $1,090 | $1,339 | $1,538 | $1,495 |
| Linda Vista | $1,642 | $1,324 | $1,457 | $1,676 | $2,260 |
| Lake Murray | $1,642 | $1,220 | $1,506 | $1,899 | $2,213 |
| Clairemont Mesa West | $1,647 | $1,286 | $1,496 | $1,736 | $2,305 |
| Clairemont Mesa East | $1,647 | $1,286 | $1,496 | $1,736 | $2,305 |
| North Clairemont | $1,652 | $1,252 | $1,523 | $1,786 | $2,438 |
| Torrey Pines Preserve | $1,679 | $1,283 | $1,572 | $1,911 | $2,800 |
| Sorrento Valley | $1,679 | $1,283 | $1,572 | $1,911 | $2,800 |
| University Heights | $1,716 | $1,338 | $1,593 | $2,085 | $2,193 |
| Sunset Cliffs | $1,739 | $1,211 | $1,587 | $1,983 | $2,465 |
| Ocean Beach | $1,739 | $1,211 | $1,587 | $1,983 | $2,465 |
| Teralta East | $1,750 | $1,333 | $1,295 | $1,763 | $1,936 |
| Redwood Village | $1,750 | $1,333 | $1,295 | $1,763 | $1,936 |
| Oak Park | $1,750 | $1,333 | $1,295 | $1,763 | $1,936 |
| El Cerrito | $1,750 | $1,333 | $1,295 | $1,763 | $1,936 |
| Colina del Sol | $1,750 | $1,333 | $1,295 | $1,763 | $1,936 |
| Bay Ho | $1,765 | $1,447 | $1,647 | $1,959 | $2,514 |
| San Carlos | $1,794 | $1,220 | $1,555 | $1,976 | $2,841 |
| Mission Hills South | $1,797 | $1,357 | $1,694 | $2,213 | $2,193 |
| Hillcrest | $1,797 | $1,357 | $1,694 | $2,213 | $2,193 |
| Bay Park | $1,798 | $1,161 | $1,493 | $1,997 | $3,050 |
| Morena | $1,804 | $1,197 | $1,458 | $1,963 | $2,736 |
| Talmadge | $1,821 | $1,339 | $1,304 | $1,823 | $2,491 |
| Rolando Park | $1,821 | $1,339 | $1,304 | $1,823 | $2,491 |
| Rolando | $1,821 | $1,339 | $1,304 | $1,823 | $2,491 |
| College View Estates | $1,821 | $1,339 | $1,304 | $1,823 | $2,491 |
| Alvarado Estates | $1,821 | $1,339 | $1,304 | $1,823 | $2,491 |
| College Area | $1,852 | $1,276 | $1,404 | $1,876 | $2,665 |
| Old Town San Diego | $1,905 | $1,194 | $1,554 | $2,236 | $3,263 |
| Mission Hills | $1,905 | $1,194 | $1,554 | $2,236 | $3,263 |
| Point Loma Heights | $1,909 | $1,077 | $1,545 | $2,194 | $3,230 |
| Del Cerro | $1,925 | $1,221 | $1,597 | $2,059 | $2,901 |
| Allied Gardens | $1,925 | $1,221 | $1,597 | $2,059 | $2,901 |
| Kearny Mesa | $1,943 | $1,404 | $1,777 | $2,019 | $2,405 |
| Loma Portal | $1,954 | $1,032 | $1,533 | $2,249 | $3,286 |
| Mira Mesa | $1,960 | $1,523 | $1,761 | $2,050 | $2,590 |
| Pacific Beach | $1,990 | $1,636 | $1,823 | $2,638 | $3,247 |
| Mission Beach | $1,990 | $1,636 | $1,823 | $2,638 | $3,247 |
| Mission Bay | $1,990 | $1,636 | $1,823 | $2,638 | $3,247 |
| Midway | $2,120 | $1,524 | $1,969 | $2,608 | $3,574 |
| Balboa Park | $2,128 | $1,561 | $2,072 | $2,685 | $4,182 |
| Midtown San Diego | $2,129 | $1,554 | $2,066 | $2,731 | $4,094 |
| Bankers Hill - Park West | $2,129 | $1,554 | $2,066 | $2,731 | $4,094 |
| Serra Mesa | $2,136 | $1,693 | $1,943 | $2,213 | $2,523 |
| Birdland | $2,136 | $1,693 | $1,943 | $2,213 | $2,523 |
| Mission Valley West | $2,141 | $1,281 | $1,838 | $2,370 | $3,304 |
| Miramar | $2,143 | $1,686 | $1,895 | $2,302 | $2,941 |
| Grantville | $2,167 | $1,487 | $1,913 | $2,340 | $3,217 |
| Petco Park | $2,188 | $1,573 | $2,152 | $2,836 | $4,182 |
| Marina | $2,188 | $1,573 | $2,152 | $2,836 | $4,182 |
| Little Italy | $2,188 | $1,573 | $2,152 | $2,836 | $4,182 |
| Horton Plaza | $2,188 | $1,573 | $2,152 | $2,836 | $4,182 |
| Harborview | $2,188 | $1,573 | $2,152 | $2,836 | $4,182 |
| Gaslamp | $2,188 | $1,573 | $2,152 | $2,836 | $4,182 |
| East Village | $2,188 | $1,573 | $2,152 | $2,836 | $4,182 |
| Cortez | $2,188 | $1,573 | $2,152 | $2,836 | $4,182 |
| Core - Columbia | $2,188 | $1,573 | $2,152 | $2,836 | $4,182 |
| University City | $2,215 | $1,739 | $1,932 | $2,430 | $3,220 |
| Mission Valley East | $2,219 | $1,755 | $1,964 | $2,420 | $3,333 |
/
The most affordable neighborhoods in San Diego are Cherokee Point, where the average rent goes for $1,418/month, Corridor, where renters pay $1,418/mo on average, and Azalea - Hollywood Park, where the average rent goes for $1,420/mo. If you’re looking for other great deals, check out the listings from Castle ($1,420), Chollas Creek ($1,420), and Fairmont Park ($1,420), where the asking prices are below the average San Diego rent of $2,028/mo.
The most expensive neighborhoods in San Diego are Petco Park ($2,188), University City ($2,215) and Mission Valley East ($2,219).
San Diego | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Allied Gardens is 6% higher than in Alvarado Estates
$1,925
Allied Gardens rent is 5% lower than San Diego average
| All rentals | $1,925 |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,221 |
| 1 Bed | $1,597 |
| 2 Beds | $2,059 |
| 3 Beds | $2,901 |
$1,821
Alvarado Estates rent is 10% lower than San Diego average
| All rentals | $1,821 |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,339 |
| 1 Bed | $1,304 |
| 2 Beds | $1,823 |
| 3 Beds | $2,491 |
How Does San Diego Compare to Nearby Cities
| Average Rent | Y-o-Y Change | |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $2,028 | 3% |
| El Cajon | $1,434 | 5% |
| El Cajon City | $1,434 | 5% |
| Chula Vista | $1,637 | 5% |
| Escondido | $1,513 | 6% |
| Escondido City | $1,513 | 6% |
| La Mesa | $1,645 | 5% |
| La Mesa City | $1,645 | 5% |
| San Marcos | $1,866 | 5% |
| San Marcos City | $1,866 | 5% |
| Vista | $1,691 | 4% |
For more information about the San Diego rental trends, check out our monthly rent report
Cheapest Listings on RENTCafé
- Fifty Twenty Five
- Doriana
- Pacific Village
- Corinthian Apartments
- Navajo Bluffs
- Bay Pointe
- Riviera De Ville
- Royal Village
- Summer Brook
- Oro Vista Villas
- Nimitz Pointe
- City View
- Stonewood Gardens
- Il Palazzo
- Pacific Point
- Casas
- Casoleil
- Legacy Apartment Homes
- The Summit at Point Loma
- The Missions at Rio Vista
Mid-priced Listings on RENTCafé
Most Expensive Listings on RENTCafé
- La Jolla Park West
- Ariva Apartments
- The Lofts at 677 Seventh
- Vive on the Park
- Ascent at Campus of Life
- Mesa Village Apartments
- Westbrook Apartments
- Alberts College
- Oceanview
- Regents Court Apartments
- AV8
- Valentia
- Sofi Westview
- RiverEdge Terrace
- Avino
- Sofi Highlands
- Altura
- The Reserve at 4S Ranch
- 25 on Fifth
- 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.