How much does it cost to rent in Carlsbad, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Carlsbad, CA is $3,560. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Carlsbad cheaper than other California cities?

Carlsbad is one of the pricier cities in California, ranking #79 out of 387 cities tracked at $3,560/mo.

When was Carlsbad rent data last updated?

Carlsbad rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Carlsbad

Name: Average Rent Prices in Carlsbad, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 114,373·79th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$3,560/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.0%

Month-over-Month

-0.9%

vs US Median

+$1,595

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Carlsbad · $3,560

More expensive than 96% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

58/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Carlsbad's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$3,560/mo

Expected by trend

$3,703/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

Research median

$3,630/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$42,720/yr

At $3,560/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (5.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.0% YoY, -0.9% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

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 → $3,560

up 42.8%

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 $3,560, a 42.8% 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

Discussions about Carlsbad

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View Carlsbad rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Carlsbad on your salary?

At $3,560/mo, how Carlsbad rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 38.3% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 54% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 46.9% income

rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 26.2% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 20.5% income

affordable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 57.6% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 63.8% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 51.8% income

severely rent-burdened

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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Carlsbad is $3,560/mo as of July 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 5.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Carlsbad an affordable city for renters?

Carlsbad is considered moderate for renters. At $3,560/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 $142,000/year (~$68/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,560/mo in Carlsbad. The local median household income is $142,748/yr, meaning the typical Carlsbad household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Carlsbad?

Rent in Carlsbad has increased 5.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Carlsbad neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Carlsbad are 92008 ($3,119/mo), 92010 ($3,582/mo), and 92009 ($3,841/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Carlsbad is $3,560/mo.

How does Carlsbad rent compare to other cities in California?

Carlsbad is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #79 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,560/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carlsbad?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Carlsbad ($3,560/mo): Vista ($2,682/mo), Oceanside ($2,974/mo), San Marcos ($3,258/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 $3,560/mo is $1,595 (81%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #79 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

30%

MODERATE

At $3,560/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 →

Nearby cities