Bedroom count

Property type

Last updated on January 21, 2026

Average rent in
San Marcos, CA

Last updated on January 21, 2026

Last updated on January 21, 2026

Bedroom count

Property type

As of January 2026, the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in San Marcos, CA is $2,982. This is +57%, or $1,082, higher than the national average.

$2.32

average price per square foot

Median rent

$2,982

decreased by3%
over the previous yearvs previous year

Total rentals

77

for rent on Zumper.com

As of January 2026, the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in San Marcos, CA is $2,982. This is +57%, or $1,082, higher than the national average.

$2.32

average price per square foot

Rent ranges

4%
46%
40%
10%
$0-$1,500$0 - $1,500
$1,501-$3,000$1,501 - $3,000
$3,001-$4,500$3,001 - $4,500
$4,501-$6,000$4,501 - $6,000

Households

63%
37%
Owner-occupied
Renter-occupied

Median rent and rent ranges are based on Zumper inventory in the last 30 days. Household data are provided by the US Census Bureau.

Rent price trends in
San Marcos, CA

Rent price trends

Rent prices for all bedroom counts and property types in San Marcos, CA have decreased by 1% in the last month and have decreased by 3% in the last year.

Rent prices on this page are calculated on a rolling 30-day basis and updated daily.

Rent comparables in
San Marcos, CA

The monthly rent for an apartment in San Marcos, CA is $2,550. A 1-bedroom apartment in San Marcos, CA costs about $2,549 on average, while a 2-bedroom apartment is $2,575. Houses for rent in San Marcos, CA are more expensive, with an average monthly cost of $3,937.

Comparables

1 bedroom

$2,195

5%

8%

2 bedroom

$2,750

1%

6%

3 bedroom

$3,650

1%

3%

4 bedroom

$4,500

3%

1%

Studio

$4,390

2%

62%

Studio

Average rent

$4,390

Last 30 days

2%

Last year

62%

1 bedroom

Average rent

$2,195

Last 30 days

5%

Last year

8%

2 bedroom

Average rent

$2,750

Last 30 days

1%

Last year

6%

3 bedroom

Average rent

$3,650

Last 30 days

1%

Last year

3%

4 bedroom

Average rent

$4,500

Last 30 days

3%

Last year

1%

The table above reflects average rent prices in San Marcos, CA, broken down by the number of bedrooms, neighborhoods, and property types. The availability of data for each category is dependent on market inventory and will adjust depending on your selected filters.

Compare rent prices in San Marcos, CA to other cities

Median rent prices in San Marcos, CA for all bedroom counts and property types compared to Carlsbad, CA.

San Marcos

Median rent price$2,982
increased by57%

higher than the national median

Median rent price$3,950
increased by108%

higher than the national median

Takeaway

The median rent for all rentals in San Marcos, CA is 24% lower than the median rent in Carlsbad, CA.

More data insights and reports

View the National Rent Report

National Rent Report

View the Canadian Rent Report

Canadian Rent Report

View the Annual Rent Report

Annual Rent Report

Are you interested in licensing our current and historical rental real estate data, or do you have custom data requests? Contact datalicensing@zumper.com.

Average rent in
Nearby cities

Explore rent trends in other markets

Carlsbad

$3,950

decreased by7%

Last year

Del Mar

$6,450

decreased by7%

Last year

Encinitas

$5,500

increased by7%

Last year

Escondido

$2,589

increased by2%

Last year

Fallbrook

$2,694

increased by18%

Last year

Lakeside

$1,995

decreased by11%

Last year

Oceanside

$2,885

decreased by13%

Last year

Poway

$2,450

increased by5%

Last year

Santee

$3,000

decreased by1%

Last year

Solana Beach

$8,800

increased by16%

Last year

Valley Center

$2,800

decreased by28%

Last year

Vista

$2,650

increased by1%

Last year

Apartments for rent in Carlsbad

Discover rentals in San Marcos, CA

604 Kellogg St - Photo 1 of 1

5d+ ago

Village O townhouse for rent in San Marcos

Bedroom with private bathroom

604 Kellogg St, San Marcos, CA 92078

1 bed

1 bath

$1,300

House for rent

Available Jan 9

5d+ ago

7.7

Very good

Grandon Village

1607 Grandon Ave, San Marcos, CA 92078

1–2 beds

1 bath

$1,457–$2,100

Apartment for rent

San Marcos Terrace Apts LLC - Photo 1 of 1

8h ago

8.3

Very good

San Marcos Terrace Apts LLC

532 Richmar Ave, San Marcos, CA 92069

2 beds

1 bath

$2,200

Apartment for rent

Casa Mia - Photo 1 of 1

2h ago

8.3

Very good

Casa Mia

342 Pleasant Way, San Marcos, CA 92069

2 beds

2 baths

$2,295

Apartment for rent

Barham Villas - Photo 1 of 1

27m ago

8.8

Very good

Barham Villas

570 E Barham Dr, San Marcos, CA 92078

1–3 beds

1–2 baths

$2,387–$4,629

Price drop

Apartment for rent

141 Johnston Lane San Marcos - Photo 1 of 1

5d+ ago

8.8

Very good

141 Johnston Lane San Marcos

141 Johnston Ln, San Marcos, CA 92069

2 beds

1 bath

$2,395

Apartment for rent

Pebblecreek Apartments | Spacious Apartment Homes in the Heart of San Marcos! - Photo 1 of 1

1h ago

8.8

Very good

2 beds

2 baths

$2,500–$2,700

Apartment for rent

574 Beverly Pl - Photo 1 of 1

1h ago

House for rent in San Marcos

House for rent