San Marcos City, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: October 19, 2025 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in San Marcos City is $2,728, a 0.24% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,734.
Studio Apartments at $2,393 offer the most budget-friendly option with 575 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 696 square feet for $2,323, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $2,836 offer 974 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,215 sq ft) for $3,470, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in San Marcos City, CA
Last updated: October 19, 2025
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,728 | 901 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,393 | 575 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,323 | 696 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $2,836 | 974 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,470 | 1,215 sq. ft. |
San Marcos City, CA rent trends
Rental prices in San Marcos City, CA have decreased by 0.24% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,734 to $2,728.
What's the typical rent budget in San Marcos City, CA?
The largest share of rentals in San Marcos City, CA (43%) fall between $2,501-$3,000 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in San Marcos City, CA?
11,411 or 37% of the households in San Marcos City, CA are renter-occupied while 19,469 or 63% are owner-occupied.
How San Marcos City Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| San Marcos City | $2,728 |
| Los Angeles | $2,762 |
| San Francisco | $3,545 |
| Long Beach | $2,665 |
| East Bay | $2,685 |
| Oakland | $2,651 |
| San Diego | $2,959 |
| Sacramento | $1,921 |
| San Jose | $3,170 |
| Tulare | $1,576 |
| Carlsbad, CA | $3,260 |
| San Marcos, CA | $2,728 |
| Escondido, CA | $2,261 |
| La Mesa, CA | $2,485 |
| Vista, CA | $2,527 |
| Murrieta, CA | $2,335 |
| Oceanside, CA | $2,608 |
| Chula Vista, CA | $2,638 |
| El Cajon, CA | $2,234 |
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 Marcos City 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.