Cheap Apartments for Rent near Lake San Marcos, CA from $500 (33 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Lake San Marcos.

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Mariposa
$2,063 - $2,803
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

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$2,063 - $2,803
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1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Mariposa

221 Smilax RdVista, CA 92083
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Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

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Palomar Station
Rent Specials
$2,466 - $6,759
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Total Monthly Price

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$2,466 - $6,759
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Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Palomar Station

1257 Armorlite DrSan Marcos, CA 92069
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What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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Melrose Villas
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Melrose Villas

1820 Melrose DrSan Marcos, CA 92078
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Terra Cotta Apartments
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Terra Cotta Apartments

501-523 Rush DrSan Marcos, CA 92078
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Hunters Pointe
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Hunters Pointe

7270 Calle PlataCarlsbad, CA 92009
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Shane Park Plaza
1 Bedroom Apartments

Shane Park Plaza

240-260 S Rancho Santa Fe RdSan Marcos, CA 92078

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

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Crest 850
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Crest 850

850 Village DrSan Marcos, CA 92078
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Unicornio Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Unicornio Apartments

2855 Unicornio StCarlsbad, CA 92009
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Bella La Costa
2 Bedroom Apartments

Bella La Costa

7504-7514 Gibraltar StCarlsbad, CA 92009

Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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Showing Results 1-33, Page 1 of 1

Lake San Marcos, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Lake San Marcos Apartments for Rent and Nearby

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Lake San Marcos, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Rancho Santa Fe Village in the San Marcos neighborhood priced from $1,860. Meadow Creek Apartments in the San Marcos neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,135. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Lake San Marcos apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Rancho Santa Fe Village1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1,860
Meadow Creek Apartments1B 1B1BR,1BA$2,135
Grandon Village2+1 60%2BR,1BA$2,241
Prominence ApartmentsSanta Clara1BR,1BA$2,350
Vista Flores Apartments2B 1B S2BR,1BA$2,420
MariposaTwo Bedrooms - Two Bath Patio2BR,2BA$2,444
Palomar StationStudio - 4Studio,1BA$2,466
Elan Northwoods2 Bedrooms 2 Baths - 22A2BR,2BA$2,561
Virano Apartments1x2LW-10491BR,2BA$3,225
Sommerset La CostaCall for Specials! 2x2 with Vaulted Ceilings in...2BR,2BA$3,295

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Lake San Marcos, CA and Nearby

As of July 20, 2026 the best value apartment in the Lake San Marcos area is the $3.09 price per square foot 3 Bedroom Model at Rancho Carrillo Apartments | Affordable Apartments in the in the Carlsbad neighborhood starting from $3,537. The second greatest value Lake San Marcos apartment is the Call for Specials! 2x2 with Vaulted Ceilings in... Model at Sommerset La Costa starting at $3,295 with a $3.00 price per square foot in the Carlsbad neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Lake San Marcos apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Rancho Carrillo Apartments | Affordable Apartments3 Bedroom3BR,2BA$3.09
Sommerset La CostaCall for Specials! 2x2 with Vaulted Ceilings in...2BR,2BA$3.00
Virano Apartments1x2LW-10491BR,2BA$3.07
MariposaTwo Bedrooms - Two Bath Patio2BR,2BA$2.55
Elan Northwoods2 Bedrooms 2 Baths - 22A2BR,2BA$2.86
Vista Flores Apartments2B 1B S2BR,1BA$2.77
Palomar StationOne Bedroom - 61BR,1BA$3.37
Grandon Village2+1 60%2BR,1BA$2.99
Meadow Creek Apartments1B 1B1BR,1BA$3.39
Rancho Santa Fe Village1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$3.05

Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University

From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.

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The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Lake San Marcos, CA Rentals by Map

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Lake San Marcos Apartments

How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom Lake San Marcos Apartment?

The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom Lake San Marcos Apartment is $1,860 at Rancho Santa Fe Village.

What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom Lake San Marcos Apartment for rent?

Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in Lake San Marcos is starting from $2,241 at Grandon Village.

Expert Rental Resources

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Written by: Robin Stewart

The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

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Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

Written by: Robin Stewart

Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

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Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention

Written by: Robin Stewart

There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

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How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Written by: Robin Stewart

Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.