Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Marcos, CA from $500 (106 Rentals)

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

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

From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

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222 North City
Rent Specials
$2,634 - $12,909
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,634 - $12,909
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 4 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

222 North City

222 N City DrSan Marcos, CA 92096
Senior Living
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Palomar Station
Rent Specials
$2,667 - $4,640
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,667 - $4,640
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Palomar Station

1257 Armorlite DrSan Marcos, CA 92069
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How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

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Westlake Village
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Westlake Village

405-419 Autumn DrSan Marcos, CA 92069
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Sage Canyon
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Sage Canyon

1010 Stephanie StSan Marcos, CA 92078
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Melrose Villas
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Melrose Villas

1820 Melrose DrSan Marcos, CA 92078
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Paseo del Oro
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Paseo del Oro

428 W Mission RdSan Marcos, CA 92069
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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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Shane Park Plaza
1 Bedroom Apartments

Shane Park Plaza

240-260 S Rancho Santa Fe RdSan Marcos, CA 92078
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Meadowlark Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Meadowlark Apartments

233 W San Marcos BlvdSan Marcos, CA 92069
Student Housing
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Villa Serena
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Villa Serena

339-340 Marcos StSan Marcos, CA 92069
  • Utilities Included

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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Sierra Vista
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Sierra Vista

435-459 Autumn DrSan Marcos, CA 92069
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Liberty Triplex
2 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Liberty Triplex

354-368 Liberty DrSan Marcos, CA 92069
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Casa Mia
2 Bedroom Apartments

Casa Mia

346 Pleasant WaySan Marcos, CA 92069
  • Utilities Included

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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San Marcos, CA Local Guide

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Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in San Marcos, CA

Pricing Updated: 08/19/2026

Current apartment rentals in the San Marcos, CA area range in price from $1,557 to $12,909 with an overall median price of $3,629. The three San Marcos neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Paloma at $2,550, Lake San Marcos at $2,561, and Grand Estates at $2,591. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for San Marcos Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Paloma$2,550$1,92546
Lake San Marcos$2,561$1,55743
Grand Estates$2,591$1,55772
University Commons$2,832$1,55714
Mira Lago$3,539$1,900285
Vistas at Rancho Santalina$3,584$1,557281
Richland Villas$3,689$1,949274
Village O$3,789$1,700263
Vallecitos Ridge$3,831$2,000251
Atherton at San Elijo Hills$3,839$2,000250

Cheapest Available San Marcos Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in San Marcos, CA is a Studio unit found at The Quince Street Senior Apartments in the Urbana at Citracado Village neighborhood priced from $1,373. Casa Escondida in the Country Club neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $1,595. Here is today’s list of the most affordable San Marcos apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Quince Street Senior ApartmentsStudio, 1 bathStudio,1BA$1,373
Casa EscondidaOne Bedroom, One Bath1BR,1BA$1,595
Hendrix Apartments - A 55+ Lifestyle CommunityS1Studio,1BA$1,729
Hadley Apartments - A 55+ Lifestyle CommunityA11BR,1BA$1,750
55+ Senior Living at Quail Creek ApartmentsOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$1,750
Grandon Village1+1 60%1BR,1BA$1,885
Rancho Santa Fe Village1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1,909
Overture San Marcos 55+ Senior Housing Apartment HomesA21BR,1BA$1,949
Reidy Creek IIAlder1BR,1BA$1,975
Whispering Pines Apartments2x12BR,1BA$2,000

Best Value Apartments for Rent in San Marcos, CA

As of August 19, 2026 the best value apartment in the San Marcos area is the $2.14 price per square foot 2BR/2.5BA Model at KSB - Santa Fe Townhomes in the in the Vista neighborhood starting from $3,595. The second greatest value San Marcos apartment is the Three Bed Two Bath Home - Upstairs Model at Diamond Pointe starting at $2,900 with a $2.42 price per square foot in the Urbana at Citracado Village neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for San Marcos apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
KSB - Santa Fe Townhomes2BR/2.5BA2BR,2.5BA$2.14
Diamond PointeThree Bed Two Bath Home - Upstairs3BR,2BA$2.42
Windsong Villas3/2 Casita (Single Story)3BR,2BA$2.45
Country Club GardensTwo Bedrooms2BR,2BA$2.49
Vista Flores Apartments2B 1B L2BR,1BA$2.67
Whispering Pines Apartments2x12BR,1BA$2.22
55+ Senior Living at Quail Creek ApartmentsOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$2.44
Hadley Apartments - A 55+ Lifestyle CommunityA11BR,1BA$2.62
Casa EscondidaOne Bedroom, One Bath1BR,1BA$2.59
The Quince Street Senior ApartmentsStudio, 1 bathStudio ,1BA$2.23

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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San Marcos Overview

San Marcos, California is located in the northern part of San Diego County, California. The name of the city is actually Spanish for St. Mark, a major character from the Bible. There are many people who are looking for apartments in San Marcos, California because it is relatively close to San Diego. At the same time, there are numerous San Marcos apartments available. Therefore, how can you find the right option to meet your needs? Learn more about the joys of living in this area below. Remember to reach out to someone with local knowledge who can help you find the best apartment to meet your needs.á

Why live in San Marcos, CA?

San Marcos is a beautiful place to live for several reasons. First, the cost of living in San Marcos is lower than it is in San Diego. Therefore, you might be able to save some money by moving to the suburbs. Second, the weather is beautiful. It is warm throughout the year, and it does not rain very often. If you love warm weather, you should be happy in San Marcos. Finally, it is relatively easy to get around. Even though traffic can get heavy during rush hour, it is still relatively light during the day. For all of these reasons, many people are moving to San Marcos.á

Best Local Schools in
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Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore San Marcos, CA Rentals by Map

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap San Marcos Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in San Marcos?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in San Marcos is under $2,000.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in San Marcos?

The cheapest apartment in San Marcos is The Quince Street Senior Apartments which is listed at $1,464, while the average apartment in San Marcos costs $3,629.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in San Marcos?

Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 50 regular apartments in San Marcos that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in San Marcos?

Cheap apartments in San Marcos have an average cost of $357 which is $3,272 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in San Marcos.

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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Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags

Written by: Robin Stewart

Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

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First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently

Written by: Robin Stewart

Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.

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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.