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City Report · CA

Carlsbad

Pop. 114,373·66th most expensive in California·Carlsbad rents are up 6.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,617/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.8%
Month-over-Month
+1.6%
vs US Median
+$1,655
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Carlsbad · $3,617
More expensive than 96% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
55/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what Carlsbad's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$3,617/mo
Expected by trend
$3,719/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Carlsbad's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,703
1 BR
$2,935
2 BR
$3,630
3 BR
$4,853
4 BR+
$5,908
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$3,630/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,617 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$43,404/yr
At $3,617/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.8% YoY, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Carlsbad, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 62.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
114,373
Median income
$142,748
Median age
42.5
Renters
37.1%
Age distribution
23.4%
16.3%
27.7%
13.8%
18.8%
Under 1823.4%
18–3416.3%
35–5427.7%
55–6413.8%
65+18.8%
Gender
49.7%
50.3%
Male49.7%
Female50.3%
Race & ethnicity
69.5%
17.4%
White69.5%
Black1.3%
Hispanic17.4%
Asian8.4%
Other3.4%
Education (25+)
25.6%
62.1%
No HS diploma3.7%
HS diploma8.7%
Some college25.6%
Bachelor's+62.1%
Housing tenure
62.9%
37.1%
Owner62.9%
Renter37.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Carlsbad, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,493 → $3,617
up 45.1%
Income
$119,302 → $142,748
up 19.7%
Population
114,858 → 114,373
down 0.4%
Renter share
38.8% → 37.1%
-1.7 pts
Bachelor's+
59.5% → 62.1%
+2.6 pts

Since 2021, the typical rent in Carlsbad, CA has climbed from $2,493 to $3,617, a 45.1% change over five years. Median household income rose from $119,302 to $142,748 between 2021 and 2024, a 19.7% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Renters now make up 37.1% of households, compared with 38.8% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 62.1% of adults here, versus 59.5% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Carlsbad, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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View Carlsbad rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Carlsbad on your salary?

At $3,617/mo, how Carlsbad rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Carlsbad rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Carlsbad. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Carlsbad

About renting in Carlsbad, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Carlsbad is $3,617/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,703/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,630/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,935/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,853/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($142,748/yr), Carlsbad ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Carlsbad an affordable city for renters?

Carlsbad is considered moderate for renters. At $3,617/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($142,748/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Carlsbad slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Carlsbad?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $145,000/year (~$70/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,617/mo in Carlsbad. The local median household income is $142,748/yr, meaning the typical Carlsbad household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Carlsbad?

Rent in Carlsbad has increased 6.8% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Carlsbad neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Carlsbad are 92008 ($3,093/mo), 92010 ($3,637/mo), and 92009 ($4,048/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Carlsbad is $3,617/mo.

How does Carlsbad rent compare to other cities in California?

Carlsbad is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #66 out of 381 tracked cities at $3,617/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carlsbad?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Carlsbad ($3,617/mo): Vista ($2,708/mo), Oceanside ($2,940/mo), San Marcos ($3,346/mo).

What percentage of Carlsbad residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 37.1% of Carlsbad households are renters, while 62.9% are owner-occupied. Carlsbad leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Carlsbad rent compare to the national average?

Carlsbad's median rent of $3,617/mo is $1,655 (84%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #66 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $3,617/mo, rent takes ~30% of Carlsbad's median household income ($142,748/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Carlsbad 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Carlsbad affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Carlsbad, CA

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