How much does it cost to rent in San Clemente, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in San Clemente, CA is $3,442. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is San Clemente cheaper than other California cities?

San Clemente is one of the pricier cities in California, ranking #88 out of 387 cities tracked at $3,442/mo.

When was San Clemente rent data last updated?

San Clemente 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

San Clemente

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

Pop. 63,273·88th most expensive in California·San Clemente rents are up 8.4% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$3,442/mo

Year-over-Year

+8.4%

Month-over-Month

Stable

vs US Median

+$1,477

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

San Clemente · $3,442

More expensive than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

55/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent

$3,442/mo

Expected by trend

$3,532/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where San Clemente's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,790

1 BR

$2,920

2 BR

$3,460

3 BR

$4,680

4 BR+

$5,600

Research median

$3,460/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$41,304/yr

At $3,442/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 8.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+8.4% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

San Clemente, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 53.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

63,273

Median income

$140,062

Median age

45.6

Renters

33.5%

Age distribution

20.8%

17.2%

25.7%

14.9%

21.4%

Under 1820.8%

18–3417.2%

35–5425.7%

55–6414.9%

65+21.4%

Gender

51.6%

48.4%

Male51.6%

Female48.4%

Race & ethnicity

75.4%

17%

White75.4%

Black0.9%

Hispanic17%

Asian4.5%

Other2.2%

Education (25+)

13%

27.7%

53.8%

No HS diploma5.6%

HS diploma13%

Some college27.7%

Bachelor's+53.8%

Housing tenure

66.5%

33.5%

Owner66.5%

Renter33.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How San Clemente, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,362 → $3,442

up 45.7%

Income

$123,090 → $140,062

up 13.8%

Population

64,600 → 63,273

down 2.1%

Renter share

34.9% → 33.5%

-1.4 pts

Bachelor's+

51.1% → 53.8%

+2.7 pts

Median age

43.8 → 45.6

+1.8 yrs

The median rent in San Clemente, CA stood at $2,362 in 2021 and currently runs about $3,442, reflecting a 45.7% increase over the period. On the earnings side, the typical household in San Clemente, CA now reports about $140,062, up from $123,090 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 2.1% since 2021, moving from about 64,600 residents to roughly 63,273. College-educated residents now make up 53.8% of adults here, versus 51.1% in 2021. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and San Clemente, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about San Clemente

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View San Clemente rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in San Clemente on your salary?

At $3,442/mo, how San Clemente rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 37% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 52.2% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 45.3% income

rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 25.3% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 19.8% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 55.7% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 61.7% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 50.1% income

severely rent-burdened

By apartment size

San Clemente rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in San Clemente

About renting in San Clemente, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in San Clemente is $3,442/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,790/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,460/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,920/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,680/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($140,062/yr), San Clemente ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is San Clemente an affordable city for renters?

San Clemente is considered affordable for renters. At $3,442/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($140,062/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. San Clemente falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in San Clemente?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $138,000/year (~$66/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,442/mo in San Clemente. The local median household income is $140,062/yr, meaning the typical San Clemente household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in San Clemente?

Rent in San Clemente has increased 8.4% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which San Clemente neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in San Clemente are 92672 ($3,322/mo), and 92673 ($4,288/mo). Citywide, the median rent in San Clemente is $3,442/mo.

How does San Clemente rent compare to other cities in California?

San Clemente is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #88 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,442/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than San Clemente?

Laguna Niguel is nearby and more affordable at $3,289/mo, which is $153 less than San Clemente.

What percentage of San Clemente residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.5% of San Clemente households are renters, while 66.5% are owner-occupied. San Clemente leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does San Clemente rent compare to the national average?

San Clemente's median rent of $3,442/mo is $1,477 (75%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #88 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

29%

AFFORDABLE

At $3,442/mo, rent takes ~29% of San Clemente's median household income ($140,062/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

San Clemente 29%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the San Clemente affordability calculator →

Nearby cities