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San Diego Apartments

Apartments for Rent in San Diego, CA

1,046 rentals available
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Everything you need to know
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Top units for an elevated lifestyle.
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Average rent in San Diego, California

City Guide
The average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in San Diego is $3,027, while the average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment is $3,976. Rent rates updated 6 days ago
Studio
$2,544
1 Bed
$3,027
2 Beds
$3,976
3+ Beds
$4,879
* Averages are based on the rental prices of properties listed on Apartment List

Top neighborhoods in San Diego

College East

College East

What it’s like to live in College East

Navy families and SDSU grad students share 1960s courtyard units. Naval Medical Center proximity ensures military discounts but 5AM reveille echoes through thin walls.
Great for
College Students
Grad Students
Academics
Young Renters
Remote Workers
Neighborhood vibe
Mixed-Use
Peaceful
Mixed-Use & Commercial
La Jolla

La Jolla

What it’s like to live in La Jolla

Beyond the picture-perfect postcards, La Jolla's rental market offers surprising diversity from vintage cottages to luxury high-rises. The Village provides European-style walkability rare in Southern California, where errands become pleasant strolls rather than traffic-clogged drives. Many apartments include outdoor space with ocean views or glimpses between buildings, while sea breezes create natural air conditioning during warmer months. The microclimate stays noticeably cooler than inland neighborhoods, though early summer "May Gray" and "June Gloom" marine layers sometimes persist all day. Parking challenges increase dramatically during summer tourism season, making rentals with dedicated spots worth the premium. When seeking outdoor recreation, the protected cove offers swimming, paddleboarding, and snorkeling literally steps from many residential buildings.
Great for
Families
Retirees
Professionals
Young Renters
Commuters
Neighborhood vibe
Mixed-Use
Peaceful
Mixed-Use & Commercial
Downtown San Diego

Downtown San Diego

What it’s like to live in Downtown San Diego

Urban renaissance defines Downtown San Diego, where historic buildings stand alongside sleek high-rises with rooftop pools and harbor views. The walkable district offers exceptional access to both waterfront recreation and Gaslamp Quarter entertainment, creating car-optional living rare in Southern California. While rental rates rank among the city's highest and parking adds significant monthly costs, the combination of amenities, walkability, and perfect climate creates compelling value for urban enthusiasts seeking authentic city experiences with year-round outdoor living.
Great for
Young Professionals
Tech Workers
Nightlife Enthusiasts
Commuters
Investors
Neighborhood vibe
Urban
Bustling
Walkable

Explore Apartments for Rent in San Diego, CA

Whether you’re looking for your first place near the local University of California campus or diving into the bustle of La Jolla, there are plenty of apartments for rent in San Diego, CA.

With Apartment List, you’ll find an AI-curated catalog of affordable San Diego rentals based on your preferences. When personalizing options, the algorithm considers factors like proximity to your work or whether the apartment has pool or gym access. Enjoy a range of choices that match your dream home’s requirements — or come close enough to warrant a tour.

Rest assured, you’ll find a new home that ticks all your boxes in less time than it takes to finish the Seven Bridge Walk.

Take the Renter Quiz, review the list of apartments in San Diego for rent, and enjoy the warmth of the Pacific Beach sunshine in no time.


Can You Live Cheaply in San Diego?

Even though the apartment rental market in San Diego is competitive, the city has pockets of affordable apartments. Areas like Hillcrest and Fox Canyon are budget-friendly, offering access to popular San Diego attractions like parks, museums, and restaurants. These features rival the more expensive suburbs like Little Italy and Scripps Ranch.

Across the city, the median rental rate for a San Diego, California apartment is:

- 1BR: $1,975/month - 2BR: 2,475/month

Remember, no matter where you choose to rent an apartment in San Diego, you can rely on affordable, accessible public transport. This makes the entire city — from the San Diego Zoo to Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá — your playground.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego Rent Report: March 2025

Welcome to the Apartment List March 2025 Rent Report for San Diego, CA. Currently, the overall median rent in the city stands at $2,291, roughly the same as last month. Prices and are now up 0.6% year-over-year. Read on to learn more about what’s been happening in the San Diego rental market and how it compares to trends throughout the broader San Diego metro area and the nation as a whole.

San Diego Renter Confidence Survey
National study of renter’s satisfaction with their cities and states
Here’s how San Diego ranks on:
A-
Overall satisfaction
A-
Safety and crime rate
C+
Jobs and career opportunities
A-
Recreational activities
D
Affordability
B+
Quality of schools
B+
Social Life
A+
Weather
B-
Commute time
C
State and local taxes
C+
Public transit
B-
Pet-friendliness

Overview of Findings

Apartment List has released San Diego’s results from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of 111 million American renters nationwide.

"San Diego renters expressed general satisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "With expensive rents in coastal cities, it comes as no surprise that cost of living is a source of dissatisfaction in San Diego."

Key findings in San Diego include the following:

For bullet formatting use: * (with a space on each side)

  • San Diego renters gave their city an A- overall.
  • The highest-rated categories for San Diego were weather (A+), safety and low crime rate and recreational opportunities (which both received an A-).
  • The areas of concern to San Diego renters are cost of living (D), public transit and jobs and career opportunities (which both received a C+).
  • Millennial renters are very satisfied (A-), as are renters who are parents (A).
  • San Diego did relatively well compared to other cities in California, including San Francisco (B+), Los Angeles (C+), and San Jose (C ).
  • San Diego earned similar scores to other cities like Boston, MA (A), Washington, DC (A-) and Austin, TX (A-).
  • The top rated cities nationwide for renter satisfaction include Scottsdale, AZ, Irvine, CA, Boulder, CO and Ann Arbor, MI. The lowest rated cities include Tallahassee, FL, Stockton, CA, Dayton, OH, Detroit, MI and Newark, NJ.

Renters say:

  • "Great bars, restaurants and other businesses to patronize. Love the weather and the proximity to the ocean. Amazing beaches. Also people are very relaxed and friendly here." – Stacy H.
  • "Love that it’s so close to the beach. Hate that it’s so expensive." – Anon.
  • "I love how close it is to everything. The weather is always perfect, sunny and 75. There’s nothing I hate about San Diego!" – Callie B.
  • "I love the weather, nightlife, and opportunities to meet people. Don’t like that the homelessness problem seems to be getting worse." – Bill K.

For more information on the survey methodology and findings or to speak to one of our researchers, please contact our team at rentonomics@apartmentlist.com.

Read More

Living in San Diego, CA

Thinking about moving to San Diego, but not sure what you're in for as a renter? We wrote this guide to demystify renting in the area and help you discover whether San Diego is the place for you.

You've probably heard a lot about the challenges of housing in California

View San Diego City Guide
Sources:
  • School data: GreatSchools
  • Crime data: CrimeIndex (U.S.) provided by Precisely used data sourced from Precisely, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and various law enforcement agencies. These organizations do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the data used in this product.
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