How to Find an Apartment in San Diego, CA 2021

A move to San Diego offers residents unbeatable weather, beautiful beaches, and some of the best neighborhoods in the state. You can determine how to find an apartment in San Diego on your own or use our guide to simplify the process and make sure you find the best rental possible.

Here’s how you can find the best neighborhood and apartment amenities in San Diego.

How to Find the Best San Diego Neighborhood

Known as the Birthplace of California, San Diego offers many outdoor activities paired with mouth-watering food options. Residents of San Diego have an unbeatable quality of life, with picturesque sunsets amongst endless entertainment, arts, and culture.

San Diego boasts a wide assortment of housing options, making it an inviting place for all. The city offers everything from apartments to condos to single-family houses and more. You’re sure to find the quality of life you're looking for in San Diego, regardless of what you’re looking for.

Here's where to get started!

1. North Park

Located north of Balboa Park is the hipster haven known as North Park. Here you’ll find restaurants and breweries within walking distance as far as the eye can see. While North Park is a popular place to call home for San Diego locals, it’s important to mention that parking can be a bit of a challenge here. Thankfully, you don’t need a car while living in North Park.

The peak of the action in North Park is found along El Cajon Boulevard. Decide how close you want to be to it all by keeping this in mind with your apartment search. You can take your pick of a wide assortment of rentals, including everything from older mini-complexes to new construction and modern urban complexes.

2. Little Italy

Foodies looking for the best Italian food in San Diego flock to Little Italy. A weekly Farmers’ Market will draw locals and tourists to Little Italy, with endless food options and fresh local produce.

Located centrally in downtown San Diego, it’s no surprise that Little Italy is a bit pricey. Keep in mind, though, that this price tag comes with some great perks, including close proximity to all of the action. You’ll also be a short drive away from the famous Gaslamp District, known for its nightlife.

3. East Village

Another downtown San Diego neighborhood that has become increasingly popular is East Village. Known for as a hub of arts and culture, East Village is home to the Central Library and Petco Park, where the famous San Diego Padres play.

The most sought-after rentals in East Village overlook the Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park. East Village is filled with mixed-use buildings, with options varying from converted warehouses to luxury apartment buildings. Best of all, East Village is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in downtown San Diego.

4. Gaslamp District

If you want to live in downtown San Diego, it’s worth checking out the Gaslamp District as a possibility for your new apartment. Not only is it a trendy neighborhood, but it’s also a top tourist destination bringing new people from all across the globe.

Within the Gaslamp District, you’ll find everything from restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. If you like peace and quiet, you might want to seek shelter elsewhere. The Gaslamp District is known for its electric nightlife and walkability. Much like all of the downtown San Diego neighborhoods, parking can be a bit challenging, so be sure to keep that in mind.

5. Pacific Beach

Pacific Beach might be the ideal San Diego neighborhood for those who want to be close to the water. Between Mission Bay and La Jolla is where you’ll find this lively party area with an unbeatable ocean view.

Pacific Beach is known for its youthful party scene. As such, many college kids choose to live in this neighborhood where coffee shops, bar-hopping, and coastal menus are easy to come by. However, Pacific Beach is not just for the party-goers. Many young families are taking to this area more towards the North Pacific Beach area.

How Much are Apartments in San Diego

Considering the move to San Diego? Before you get started packing your things, you’ll want to first learn about the average rent prices in the area.

Average Rent in San Diego

• The average rent for a San Diego studio apartment is $2,443
• The average rent for a San Diego 1-bedroom apartment is $3,093
• The average rent for a San Diego 2-bedroom apartment is $3,789
• The average rent for a San Diego 3-bedroom apartment is $4,599

San Diego rents have decreased by 3.99% compared to last month and are up by 19.46% compared to the previous year. Here’s more information to help you determine your budget:

• 0% of apartments in San Diego cost less than $1,000 per month.
• 2% of apartments in San Diego cost between $1,000-$1,999 per month.
• 29% of apartments in San Diego cost between $2,000-$2,999 per month.
• 68% of apartments in San Diego cost over $3,000 per month.

How to Find Cheap Apartments in San Diego

Finding out how to find an apartment in San Diego is one thing, though finding a cheap apartment requires serious research. You are sure to find something you can afford with the help of online resources brought to you by Apartment List.

One of the first steps in the process is learning how to budget for your first apartment. There are plenty of expenses to account for, but some of the crucial ones to make sure to include in your budget are:

• Moving expenses
• Electricity
• Heating and gas
• Cable/internet
• Rent
• Etc.

As you begin totaling up all of your expenses, you may feel a bit overwhelmed at first. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to help reduce some of your costs. Always seek out different move-in specials, and be sure to take advantage of seasonality when renting.

What’s the Best Time to Find an Apartment in San Diego

While you start apartment hunting in San Diego,pay attention to the rental market’s seasonality. Like the rest of the nation, San Diego rates consistently show that seasonality can impact rent prices.

Generally speaking, fewer people are interested in moving during the winter months of the year, which is why it's common to find more apartments available during the winter. In the same regard, the summer months are more popular for moving, making this time more competitive and expensive.

Regardless of the season you're apartment hunting, you’ll want to come prepared to look at apartments in San Diego with all of your proper documentation. Being ready to sign a lease agreement on the spot could be the ticket to beating out your competition and getting the apartment of your dreams.

How to Find an Apartment?

Learn the steps to finding an apartment in San Diego! Here’s the process:

Determine Your Budget

Part of finding your perfect apartment in San Diego means considering your budget. The recommended 30% rule is a straightforward way to calculate your rental budget. Your rent should not take up more than 30% of your gross income or pre-taxed monthly take-home pay, according to the 30% rule. Divide your gross annual salary by 40 if you want to figure it out based on your yearly income instead.

If you are looking for a one-bedroom apartment in San Diego with an average rent price of $2,443, you can use the 30% rule to determine your minimum gross income. Based on this rule, your gross income should be about $7,329 per month or about $78,948 annually.

Understand the Trust Cost of Renting

The 30% rule is a helpful budgeting tool, though it works best as a baseline rather than an exact picture of your budget. The 30% rule does not account for the hidden costs of renting when forming a complete budget.

We’ll need to take a closer look at some of the hidden apartment expenses if you’re wondering how much apartment rent can you afford. Some of the common hidden apartment expenses include:

• Moving costs
• Pet deposit
• Move-in fees
• Security deposit
• Apartment application fees

Another pivotal role in how much rent you can afford will come down to your specific financial circumstance. You may quickly realize that the 30% rule doesn’t quite fit your budget if you have additional financial needs, including medical expenses, student debt repayment, etc. You may need to adjust your budget accordingly.

Determine how much you can afford to pay, including all of the additional expenses. Use the Rent Calculator, a beneficial tool that has been put together with renters in mind. Get a better understanding of what type of rental budget you are working with for your move to San Diego.

Set Your Apartment Priorities

San Diego boasts a variety of housing options, from historic homes and apartment buildings to brand new luxury apartment buildings and condos. Once you’ve established your budget, you can begin narrowing your search and find the best apartment for you by figuring out your priorities regarding specific amenities.

Amenities

Start by brainstorming a list of needs and wants for your apartment in San Diego, including all the amenities you love. Depending on your preferred transportation methods, you may want to consider covered parking, bike storage, or proximity to public transportation.

The more you can identify your needs versus wants, the easier it will be to narrow down your options and find your perfect apartment.

San Diego Location/Neighborhood

Finding the best neighborhood in San Diego will come down to personal preference.. The overall vibe is important, but you must also consider other things like walkability and convenience.

For example, if you’re looking for more space for a pet or quieter evenings, try looking for apartments outside the electric downtown San Diego area. Otherwise, you might opt for a more lively neighborhood with nightlife and excitement to make the most of your leisure time.

To determine which is best for you, measure your desire for accessibility to extracurriculars, including what types, before signing your next lease in your ideal San Diego neighborhood.

Consider Your Commute Time

Your next apartment in San Diego should factor in commute time, as well as your dream location.

San Diego's walk score is 51, while its transit score is 37. In addition to these decent scores, people also love biking around San Diego, thanks to its bike score of 43. This information is good to know because it is possible to find a great San Diego apartment within walking or biking distance to work.

Public Transportation in SD

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) serves East, South, and Central San Diego County. Within the SDMTS is the San Diego Transit, Corporation (SDTC) and the San Diego Trolley, Incorporated (SDTI).

Unfortunately, the public transportation in San Diego isn’t the greatest. Thankfully, if you live in the downtown areas, it is very walkable and bike-friendly, perfect for anyone looking to opt-out of vehicle ownership. If you’re looking to help reduce your monthly expenses, you might choose an apartment in San Diego, near your work or bike paths.

Prepare for Apartment Tours

You’ll want to take part in an apartment tour before signing a lease for your new San Diego apartment. When it’s time for your apartment tour, don’t forget to bring documentation, including ID, references, and your application fee. Property managers may accept cash, credit card, or check for the application fee, depending on their preference.

Before you go on your apartment tour, find out how the application process works.

Don’t feel rushed. Take your time on the apartment tour and ensure all the amenities in the listing are functioning correctly. You can also jot down a list of additional questions you may have. Be sure to ask about rules regarding things like pets, painting, and other building rules.

Know what questions to ask the property manager during your apartment tour by checking out our list of 20 questions to ask when renting an apartment.

Applying for Your San Diego Apartment

It’s time to submit your application once you’ve completed your apartment tour and have found the San Diego unit that checks all the boxes.

The application should be easy, considering that you already have the necessary materials gathered for your tour. However, in addition to the basic application requirements, credit check, etc., you’ll also more than likely need to include rental references.

Most landlords will look for previous landlord references, but that shouldn’t be an issue if you don’t have any previous rental history. Property managers will also accept personal references in some instances, so clarify ahead of time.

Make sure you have reached out to these individuals ahead of time so they can anticipate the call and respond quickly on your behalf, regardless of who your references may be.

Protect Yourself from Rental Scams

According to a rental fraud report by Apartment List, 41.3% of renters in San Diego have encountered an apartment listing they have suspected was fraudulent. Sadly, 6.5% of these San Diego renters have lost money from one of these rental scams. Always be cautious and follow these tips for avoiding rental scams to keep yourself protected.

Using Apartment List to Find Your San Diego Apartment

The most important part of apartment hunting is enjoying the process! On behalf of us here at Apartment List, congratulations to you for starting your search for a beautiful new apartment and life in San Diego!

Here’s how it works: We’ll kick things off by first having you answer a few simple questions. Using this information, we’ll be able to quickly match you to apartments explicitly tailored to fit your desires. Then, we’ll mix and match your personalized results to help make it easy to discover places with the perfect combination of amenities, location, and price just for you.