Homes for Rent in San Diego, CA (1,893 Rentals)

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Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

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San Diego's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about San Diego and the best places to live with original content written by our , Local Expert Hayden Goldberg

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Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants

Read our practical guide to landlord and tenant rights. Understand protected classes, reasonable accommodations, and legal exceptions to prevent housing discrimination.

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property at 3602 Louisiana St

3602 Louisiana St

San DiegoCA92104

How a Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit

Learn How a Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit from the Renter University at AparmentHomeLiving.com.

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San Diego, CA Local Guide

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Written By:
Bob Mallory
Local Guide Expert

Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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San Diego Overview

As the southernmost metro area on the West Coast, San Diego has an amazing year-round climate. The city has a contrast between beautiful desert ecosystem views in the east and views of the Pacific Ocean to the west. Checking out the rental homes in San Diego is a good way to see which atmosphere a person prefers. A stable and growing economy combined with world-class attractions and entertainment makes this a wonderful place to live and play.

What is the history of San Diego?

The area around San Diego is believed to have been settled more than 9,000 years ago by indigenous peoples. The first Spanish colony was founded here in 1769. Much of that Spanish heritage is still on display in the architecture of San Diego rentals, homes, and buildings. San Diego was incorporated as a city in 1850 when California became a US state. The city has been an important naval and military hub since World War II. Many suburban communities in San Diego have been developed since the 1980s.

How is the weather in San Diego?

It has only snowed six times in San Diego in the last 150 years or so. The city is considered to have one of the best year-round climates in the US. Its proximity to the ocean means that San Diego has mild winters that don't get very cold, and mild summers that don't get too hot. The average nighttime low temperature in January is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average daytime high in August is around 78. Temperatures stay above 70 degrees for more than 200 days out of the year, and the city averages 13 inches of rainfall or less each year.

How do I get around town?

Public transportation in San Diego includes a light rail system, a bus system, two commuter rail services, and a hybrid rail service. Many roads and streets in San Diego include cycling lanes. However, San Diego is such a sprawling community and has so much hilly terrain that cycling is not an option for many residents. More than 80 percent of residents own a personal car for getting to and from work, shopping, and other activities. The Downtown San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the busiest single-runway airport in the world and serves well over 20 million passengers each year.

What is the San Diego commute like?

More than 60 percent of San Diego workers have a one-way commute of 29 minutes or less, one-way. The number of people who have commutes lasting longer than 30 minutes has been steadily declining for several years. Major north-south routes through the city include Interstate 5, Interstate 15, and Interstate 805. Major east-west routes include the Mt. Soledad Freeway, Interstate 8, the Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway, and the South Bay Freeway. Rush hour traffic occurs from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays. The exception to this is Friday afternoons when rush hour traffic can start as early as 2 p.m.

Why live in San Diego, CA?

Gorgeous weather, stunning public beaches, and a thriving nightlife are just a few of the things that make San Diego a special place to rent a home. There are more than 70 miles of public beaches that are accessible in the San Diego area, along with world-class family attractions and professional sports teams. San Diego has everything that you can find in other metro areas in the US, combined with much better weather!

What San Diego landmarks should I see?

Old Town San Diego is a Spanish-heritage neighborhood in the city with many historical buildings that date back to the 1800s. Torrey Pines State Natural Preserve is a huge state park in San Diego with more than 1,750 acres of undisturbed outdoor beauty to enjoy. The Cabrillo National Monument commemorates the moment when Spanish explorers arrived here in 1542.

What is there to do around San Diego?

Balboa Park is a popular destination that is centrally located in San Diego. The park is home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Families with children also enjoy SeaWorld and LEGOLAND California. Surfing is very popular along the 70 miles of coastline in San Diego, and so are the ferry tours of the San Diego Bay. Coronado Island is a must-see island situated in the bay, which is known for its charming downtown and historic hotel. The Gaslamp Quarter is a downtown neighborhood known for its vibrant nightlife.

Where is the best place to move in San Diego?

There are many great neighborhoods to look for rental homes in San Diego. The Mission Valley neighborhood has good options for anyone who needs to be close to San Diego State University or the University of San Diego. Pacific Beach is a good choice for someone who wants to live close to the ocean. The North Park neighborhood is another popular choice for rental homes because it's not too close and not too far from the downtown area.

Pet Friendly Lifestyle
San Diego, CA

Ranked #4

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

3.5
Pet Friendly

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Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore San Diego, CA Rentals by Map

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See the most popular apartments and homes in San Diego, CA

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San Diego, CA Area Reviews

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Hayden • 4+ years in San Diego

March 6, 2025

San Diego is an amazing city for families, young professionals, and retirees!

Frequently Asked Questions about San Diego

What type of rentals are currently available in San Diego?

There are currently 13431 Apartments for Rent in San Diego, CA with pricing that ranges from $792 to $30,000. There are also 1893 Single Family Homes for rent, Condos, and Townhome rentals currently available in San Diego ranging from $650 to $100,000.

What is the current price range for Rental Homes in San Diego?

Today's rental pricing for Homes for Rent, Condos and Townhomes in San Diego ranges from $650 to $100,000 with an average monthly rent of $22,471.

How much are larger Three and Four Bedroom Rentals in San Diego?

For those who are looking for larger living arrangements, Three Bedroom Apartments in San Diego range from $799 to $30,000, while Three Bedroom Homes, Condos, and Townhomes for rent range from $1,300 to $42,000. Four Bedroom Single-Family rentals are also available starting from $1,000 and Four Bedroom Apartments start at $850.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

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Top 10 Most Affordable Neighborhoods in San Diego: A Local Real Estate Expert Guide

Written by: Hayden Goldberg

Aloha! I’m Hayden, your local San Diego Realtor and relocation expert with ApartmentHomeLiving.com.

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Know Your Budget: Calculating What You Can Realistically Afford When Renting

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting an apartment or house isn’t just about looking through online ads, choosing a few apartments or homes you want to tour, filling out an application, and putting down a deposit. Those things are all necessary and important.

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The Freedom of Short-Term Leases: Exploring the Advantages for Renters

Written by: Bobbi Jackson

If you’re looking to relocate right now, a popular solution that may best fit your current rental needs is a short-term lease.

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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Written by: Sandy Baker

Making the decision to rent is exciting and terrifying at the same time. For many people, there are a lot of unknowns.