1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Carlsbad, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Carlsbad, California as of July 2026. That's +18% lower than the citywide median of $3,560 and +110% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Carlsbad
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Carlsbad
Compare Carlsbad's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Carlsbad.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Carlsbad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vista, CA | 5.9 mi | $2,253 | $-682 (-23%) |
| Encinitas, CA | 6.1 mi | $2,885 | $-50 (-2%) |
| San Marcos, CA | 8 mi | $2,400 | $-535 (-18%) |
| Oceanside, CA | 8.6 mi | $2,388 | $-547 (-19%) |
| Solana Beach, CA | 9.1 mi | $3,220 | +$285 (+10%) |
| Del Mar, CA | 11.6 mi | $3,003 | +$68 (+2%) |
| Escondido, CA | 14.4 mi | $2,233 | $-702 (-24%) |
| Fallbrook, CA | 18.9 mi | $1,800 | $-1,135 (-39%) |
| Poway, CA | 20.8 mi | $2,340 | $-595 (-20%) |
| Santee, CA | 27.9 mi | $2,180 | $-755 (-26%) |
| Temecula, CA | 28.6 mi | $2,180 | $-755 (-26%) |
| San Diego, CA | 29.6 mi | $2,565 | $-370 (-13%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Carlsbad — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Carlsbad?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Carlsbad, California is $2,935 per month. This is +18% below the citywide median of $3,560.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Carlsbad?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $117,400 ($9,783/month gross), which works out to roughly $56.44/hour at a full-time job.
Is Carlsbad expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Carlsbad's 1-bedroom median of $2,935 is +110% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Carlsbad rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Carlsbad ranks #336 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Carlsbad?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Vista ($2,253), Encinitas ($2,885), San Marcos ($2,400).