2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Marcos, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Marcos, California as of July 2026. That's +9% lower than the citywide median of $3,258 and +79% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-bedroom in San Marcos
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 2-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in San Marcos
Compare San Marcos's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,107 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,216 |
| 5 | California City | $1,230 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $4,865 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 3 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 4 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than San Marcos.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs San Marcos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vista, CA | 5.4 mi | $2,783 | $-187 (-6%) |
| Escondido, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,763 | $-207 (-7%) |
| Carlsbad, CA | 8 mi | $3,630 | +$660 (+22%) |
| Encinitas, CA | 9.9 mi | $3,575 | +$605 (+20%) |
| Solana Beach, CA | 11.9 mi | $3,990 | +$1,020 (+34%) |
| Oceanside, CA | 12.3 mi | $2,953 | $-17 (-1%) |
| Del Mar, CA | 14.3 mi | $3,501 | +$531 (+18%) |
| Poway, CA | 15.2 mi | $2,890 | $-80 (-3%) |
| Fallbrook, CA | 17.2 mi | $2,230 | $-740 (-25%) |
| Ramona, CA | 22.9 mi | $2,780 | $-190 (-6%) |
| Santee, CA | 23.7 mi | $2,700 | $-270 (-9%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 25.1 mi | $2,500 | $-470 (-16%) |
2-Bedroom rent in San Marcos — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in San Marcos?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in San Marcos, California is $2,970 per month. This is +9% below the citywide median of $3,258.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in San Marcos?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $118,800 ($9,900/month gross), which works out to roughly $57.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Marcos expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Marcos's 2-bedroom median of $2,970 is +79% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 94th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Marcos rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, San Marcos ranks #259 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near San Marcos?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Vista ($2,783), Escondido ($2,763), Oceanside ($2,953).