Average Rent in San Marcos, CA
What is the average rent in San Marcos, CA?
The average listed apartment rent in San Marcos, CA is $3,876 per month, as of November 6, 2026. This sample includes 284 priced apartments in 15 buildings. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.
We use published total monthly rent when known and base rent otherwise. Unknown fees remain unknown. Included building observations run from November 4, 2026 through November 6, 2026. Buildings without a qualifying price do not count in this sample. The guide directory can include more buildings.
15 apartment buildings, 284 units. Recorded asking prices and price history where available.
Browse apartments in San Marcos, CAAvg Rent
$3,876/mo
median $3,499
market average
Cheapest
$2,125/mo
Windsor Manor Apartments
Properties
15
tracked daily
Units
284
available now
San Marcos, CA Resident Access
City Club members share insider gate codes, parking links, and amenity tips.
Analysis
Rent Price Breakdown
Compare pricing across all 15 properties in San Marcos, CA.
Average rent trend, last month
All bedroom types, citywide. Choose a window above to scope the view.
Average Rent by Property
Starting Price vs Average
Rent by Bedroom Count
Price per Square Foot
San Marcos, CA Rent Prices
All 15 properties ranked by lowest available rent.
Windsor Manor Apartments
250 Knoll Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA
Coral Tree Apartments
320 Smilax Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA
Mission View Apartments
343 Autumn Dr, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA
Benchmark Apartments
353 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA
Tuscany Hills Apartments
715 Ash Ln, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA
Marc San Marcos
1045 Armorlite Dr, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA
Barham Villas Apartments
570 E Barham Dr, San Marcos, CA 92078, USA
| # | Property | From | Avg | $/sqft | Rating | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Windsor Manor Apartments 250 Knoll Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA | $2,125 | $2,210 | $2.99/ft² | 3.1 (42) | 5 |
| 2 | Coral Tree Apartments 320 Smilax Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA | $2,150 | $2,588 | $3.26/ft² | 4.8 (166) | 6 |
| 3 | Mission View Apartments 343 Autumn Dr, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA | $2,150 | $2,400 | -- | 3.9 (14) | 2 |
| 4 | Benchmark Apartments 353 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA | $2,250 | $2,400 | $2.67/ft² | 3.9 (19) | 3 |
| 5 | Tuscany Hills Apartments 715 Ash Ln, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA | $2,313 | $2,354 | $3.83/ft² | 3.6 (47) | 3 |
| 6 | Marc San Marcos 1045 Armorlite Dr, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA | $2,343 | $2,865 | $3.03/ft² | 4.2 (351) | 18 |
| 7 | Barham Villas Apartments 570 E Barham Dr, San Marcos, CA 92078, USA | $2,355 | $2,976 | $3.27/ft² | 4.5 (107) | 14 |
Rent & Price History by Building
Compare apartment listings by price, bedrooms, and neighborhood.
Windsor Manor Apartments
3.1 (42)250 Knoll Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA
Coral Tree Apartments
4.8 (166)320 Smilax Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA
Mission View Apartments
3.9 (14)343 Autumn Dr, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA
Benchmark Apartments
3.9 (19)353 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA
Tuscany Hills Apartments
3.6 (47)715 Ash Ln, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA
Marc San Marcos
4.2 (351)1045 Armorlite Dr, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA
By Area
San Marcos, CA neighborhoods
Tracked buildings across 2 named neighborhoods. Pick one to see its apartments.
San Marcos, CA Average Rent Prices 2026
The average listed rent in San Marcos, CA is $3,876 per month, based on 284 units across 15 apartment communities. Prices range from $2,125 at Windsor Manor Apartments to $12,900 at 222 North City.
Average Rent by Bedroom Type
| Type | Avg Rent | Starting From | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,825/mo | $2,343/mo | 10 |
| 1 Bed | $3,083/mo | $2,125/mo | 100 |
| 2 Bed | $3,947/mo | $2,495/mo | 137 |
| 3 Bed | $6,014/mo | $3,351/mo | 36 |
| 4 Bed | $7,025/mo | $7,025/mo | 1 |
We schedule daily price checks. The included observations can have different dates. Request an area we do not cover so we can review it for coverage.
Market Context
Who rents in San Marcos, CA, and what they pay
Tracked one-bedroom rent in San Marcos, CA averages $3,083/mo , with two-bedroom units averaging $3,947/mo. At the local median household income of $105,286, that works out to 44% of gross income, a severely rent-burdened market by HUD standards.
The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2023 release pegged median gross rent in San Marcos, CA at $2,191/mo. The current tracked market average runs 77% higher than that benchmark, reflecting both two to three years of rent growth and the fact that the Census figure covers all renter-occupied housing in San Marcos, CA while the tracked market average covers units currently listed in larger apartment communities.
What salary do I need to live comfortably in San Marcos, CA?
Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Minimum to afford average rent
$155,000/year
Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $3,876/mo.
Comfortable income
$186,000/year
Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($2,125/mo), you need to earn at least $85,000/year.
Median household income in San Marcos, CA is $105,286 , about 43% below the comfortable-living threshold.
Cost of living in San Marcos, CA
Overall prices in San Marcos, CA runs above the national average by about 11% (BEA Regional Price Parity index 110.7, where 100 equals the U.S. average). The breakdown below estimates monthly costs for a single adult, using national consumer-spending baselines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics scaled by San Marcos, CA's regional price parities.
| Category | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (market average) | $3,876 |
| Utilities | $799 |
| Groceries | $552 |
| Transportation | $1,904 |
| Healthcare | $929 |
| Other goods and services | $1,486 |
| Estimated total | $9,546/mo |
Population
94,078
Median household income
$105,286
Census median rent
$2,191/mo
Census rent burden
36.0%
Median age
36.8
Mean commute
27 min
Methodology
Rent data
We use listed asking rents and schedule daily data updates. Individual buildings can have different verification dates. Check the building or unit page for its latest price and availability.
Cost of living
Estimates combine national consumer-spending baselines from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Expenditure Survey) with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (MARPP dataset). Both are peer-reviewed federal data releases published annually.
Salary to live comfortably
We estimate annual income by dividing annual rent by 30 percent for the affordability figure and 25 percent for the comfortable-income figure. These estimates are a guide, not a guarantee of rental approval.
Demographic figures
Median household income, population, median age, commute time, Census median rent, and rent as percentage of income come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the most recent complete release.
Cost of living and demographic figures were last published in 2023.
Compare
Nearby cities in California
How San Marcos, CA rent compares to other markets in the state.
| City | Avg Rent | vs San Marcos, CA | 30-Day Change | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $3,104 | -20% | -5% | 50 |
| San Diego, CA | $3,370 | -13% | -5.5% | 36 |
| Anaheim, CA | $2,881 | -26% | +1.8% | 34 |
| EL Cajon, CA | $2,261 | -42% | -8.8% | 33 |
| Hayward, CA | $2,730 | -30% | -5.6% | 32 |
| San Francisco, CA | $5,205 | +34% | +7.5% | 32 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in San Marcos, CA?
The average listed apartment rent in San Marcos, CA is $3,876 per month, as of November 6, 2026. This sample includes 284 priced apartments in 15 buildings. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.
What is the median rent in San Marcos, CA?
The median asking rent in San Marcos, CA is $3,499 per month, computed from 284 priced listings; check the observation dates shown on this page. The average is $3,876/mo; the median resists skew from luxury listings.
What is the cheapest apartment rent in San Marcos, CA?
The lowest available rent in San Marcos, CA starts at $2,125 per month. Confirm current availability, fees, and lease terms with the selected listing.
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in San Marcos, CA?
1-bedroom apartments in San Marcos, CA average $3,083/mo. The lowest listed 1-bedroom starts at $2,125/mo across 100 units tracked.
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in San Marcos, CA?
2-bedroom apartments in San Marcos, CA average $3,947/mo. Units start from $2,495/mo across 137 units currently listed.
Rent Trends in San Marcos, CA
Track how apartment prices are changing over time.
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