4+ Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Marcos, CA
Median asking rent for a 4+ bedroom apartment in San Marcos, California as of July 2026. That's +48% higher than the citywide median of $3,258 and +92% above the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,520.
Income needed for a 4+ 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 4+ 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 4+ bedroom in California
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,823 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,930 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,980 |
| 4 | Barstow | $2,001 |
| 5 | California City | $2,070 |
| 6 | Florin | $2,076 |
| 7 | Clearlake | $2,100 |
| 8 | Porterville | $2,210 |
| 9 | Oroville | $2,215 |
| 10 | El Centro | $2,220 |
| 11 | Paradise | $2,230 |
| 12 | Red Bluff | $2,230 |
| 13 | La Riviera | $2,250 |
| 14 | Eureka | $2,280 |
| 15 | Florence-Graham | $2,296 |
Most expensive cities for a 4+ bedroom in California
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coronado | $6,970 |
| 2 | Solana Beach | $6,500 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $6,455 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $6,370 |
| 5 | Scotts Valley | $6,270 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $6,270 |
| 7 | Aptos | $6,270 |
| 8 | Newport Beach | $6,188 |
| 9 | Coto de Caza | $6,130 |
| 10 | Foster City | $6,050 |
| 11 | Irvine | $5,986 |
| 12 | Carlsbad | $5,908 |
| 13 | Los Altos | $5,850 |
| 14 | Encinitas | $5,820 |
| 15 | Laguna Beach | $5,770 |
Nearby cities — 4+ bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 4+ bedroom rents than San Marcos.
| City | Distance | 4+ Bedroom rent | vs San Marcos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vista, CA | 5.4 mi | $4,533 | $-302 (-6%) |
| Escondido, CA | 6.6 mi | $4,495 | $-340 (-7%) |
| Carlsbad, CA | 8 mi | $5,908 | +$1,073 (+22%) |
| Encinitas, CA | 9.9 mi | $5,820 | +$985 (+20%) |
| Solana Beach, CA | 11.9 mi | $6,500 | +$1,665 (+34%) |
| Oceanside, CA | 12.3 mi | $4,805 | $-30 (-1%) |
| Poway, CA | 15.2 mi | $4,700 | $-135 (-3%) |
| Fallbrook, CA | 17.2 mi | $3,630 | $-1,205 (-25%) |
| Ramona, CA | 22.9 mi | $4,530 | $-305 (-6%) |
| Santee, CA | 23.7 mi | $4,400 | $-435 (-9%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 25.1 mi | $4,070 | $-765 (-16%) |
| Temecula, CA | 25.4 mi | $4,410 | $-425 (-9%) |
4+ Bedroom rent in San Marcos — common questions
How much is a 4+ bedroom apartment in San Marcos?
As of July 2026, the median 4+ bedroom apartment rent in San Marcos, California is $4,835 per month. This is +48% higher than the citywide median of $3,258.
What income do you need to afford a 4+ bedroom in San Marcos?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $193,400 ($16,117/month gross), which works out to roughly $92.98/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Marcos expensive for a 4+ bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Marcos's 4+ bedroom median of $4,835 is +92% above the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,520. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Marcos rank for 4+ bedroom rent in California?
Among the 384 cities in California with 4+ bedroom data, San Marcos ranks #298 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 4+ bedroom options near San Marcos?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 4+ bedroom rents include Vista ($4,533), Escondido ($4,495), Oceanside ($4,805).