News Summary
In September, San Diego experienced a minor 0.5% drop in rental prices, with the median rent reaching $2,303. Despite this decrease, San Diego remains one of the nation’s most expensive rental markets. Oceanside reported even higher rents, while the overall market continues to be affected by strong demand due to population growth projections. The rental market’s dynamics and continuous economic factors suggest that while there was a slight dip, housing affordability remains a challenge for residents.
San Diego experienced a slight decrease in rental prices in September, dropping by 0.5% compared to the previous year. The median total rent in the city reached $2,303, making it one of the most expensive rental markets in the nation.
A one-bedroom apartment in San Diego now averages $1,963 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment costs approximately $2,460. Despite these decreases, the city’s rental prices remain considerably higher than those in many other parts of the country, placing San Diego as the 11th highest city for rent among large urban areas in the United States.
Oceanside, a city within San Diego County, reported the highest median rent for the region at $2,477 in September. In Oceanside, one-bedroom apartments averaged $2,002, and two-bedroom units were priced at $2,489.
Comparison to the National Average
San Diego’s rental market continues to outpace the national average by 65%, with national figures showing that the median rent is significantly lower. California cities consistently lead the nation in rental costs, with Irvine topping the list at $3,097, followed closely by San Francisco at $3,072 and San Jose at $2,935.
Other cities reporting high median rents include Fremont, CA at $2,797, Arlington, VA at $2,602, Santa Clarita, CA at $2,510, and New York City at $2,499. Similarly, Chula Vista follows San Diego closely with a median rent of $2,355.
Market Influences
The rental rates in San Diego County continue to create pressure on the local rental market. Influencing factors include demand, local economic conditions, and ongoing trends in housing development. San Diego’s rental market consists of a variety of urban and suburban neighborhoods that cater to a diverse population.
Strong rental demand is anticipated to continue, fueled by population growth projections indicating an increase of 500,000 residents by 2050. Current statistics show that as of July 2025, the median rent across all bedroom counts and properties is forecasted to reach $2,800, with one-bedroom apartments costing around $2,295 and two-bedroom units averaging $2,928.
Future Projections
Housing prices for single-family homes in the area are also notably high, with average rental costs around $4,150 per month. Even though rental prices saw a 5% decrease over the past year, it’s essential to note that fluctuations still exist based on neighborhood characteristics and specific property types.
In summary, while there was a minor dip in rental prices in September, San Diego remains a challenging rental market for residents due to its high costs. Ongoing economic factors, demand from a growing population, and neighborhood dynamics will likely continue to influence prices as the market evolves.
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San Diego County Accelerates Affordable Housing Projects
San Diego Approves Initiative for Affordable Housing at 101 Ash St
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Additional Resources
- CBS 8 News
- NBC San Diego
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Quartz
- Nora Da Real Estate Blog
- Wikipedia: San Diego
- Google Search: San Diego rental market
- Google Scholar: San Diego rental market
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Diego
- Google News: San Diego rental prices
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
