Cheap Apartments for Rent in San Marcos, CA from $1,373 with Swimming Pool (53 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.

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.

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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Mariposa
Rent Specials
$2,019 - $2,803

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$2,019 - $2,803

Total Monthly Price$2,019 - $2,803
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Mariposa

221 Smilax RdVista, CA 92083
Outdoors
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Millcreek Apartments
$2,195 - $2,650

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$2,195 - $2,650

Total Monthly PriceVaries
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Millcreek Apartments

2130 S Santa Fe AveVista, CA 92084
Student Housing
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  • 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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Madera Ridge
Rent Specials
$2,202 - $2,750

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$2,202 - $2,750

Total Monthly PriceVaries
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Madera Ridge

1051 W El Norte PkyEscondido, CA 92026
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Hidden Cove
$2,351 - $3,051

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$2,351 - $3,051

Total Monthly PriceVaries
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Hidden Cove

910 Del Dios HwyEscondido, CA 92029
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Rowan
Rent Specials
$2,368 - $3,883

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$2,368 - $3,883

Total Monthly PriceVaries
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Rowan

700 W Grand AveEscondido, CA 92025
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Alcove
Rent Specials
$2,498 - $3,293

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$2,498 - $3,293

Total Monthly PriceVaries
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Alcove

650 N Centre City PkyEscondido, CA 92025
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Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know

From the lounge to the laundry room, understand your rights and responsibilities in shared apartment spaces. Get tips on pet rules, noise, and security.

San Marcos, CA Local Guide

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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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

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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!

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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 $1,937.

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 $3,565.

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 59 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 $299 which is $3,266 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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Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My!

Written by: Robin Stewart

Where do you see yourself? When you think of home, sweet home, are you in a 3/2 apartment? Dreaming of a tall townhome? Maybe an industrial loft heavy on cool vibes is on your visioning board.

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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.