1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Diego, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Diego, California as of July 2026. That's +16% lower than the citywide median of $3,038 and +84% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in San Diego
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 San Diego
Compare San Diego'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 San Diego.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs San Diego |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coronado, CA | 3.5 mi | $3,460 | +$895 (+35%) |
| National City, CA | 5.5 mi | $1,740 | $-825 (-32%) |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 8.8 mi | $1,910 | $-655 (-26%) |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 10.2 mi | $2,080 | $-485 (-19%) |
| Bonita, CA | 10.4 mi | $2,450 | $-115 (-4%) |
| La Mesa, CA | 11.1 mi | $2,170 | $-395 (-15%) |
| Spring Valley, CA | 11.5 mi | $1,910 | $-655 (-26%) |
| Chula Vista, CA | 12.6 mi | $2,850 | +$285 (+11%) |
| Santee, CA | 15.2 mi | $2,180 | $-385 (-15%) |
| Del Mar, CA | 18.3 mi | $3,003 | +$438 (+17%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 18.6 mi | $2,087 | $-478 (-19%) |
| Solana Beach, CA | 20.6 mi | $3,220 | +$655 (+26%) |
1-Bedroom rent in San Diego — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in San Diego?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in San Diego, California is $2,565 per month. This is +16% below the citywide median of $3,038.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in San Diego?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $102,600 ($8,550/month gross), which works out to roughly $49.33/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Diego expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Diego's 1-bedroom median of $2,565 is +84% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Diego rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, San Diego ranks #287 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near San Diego?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include National City ($1,740), Lemon Grove ($1,910), Imperial Beach ($2,080).