6621 Santa Isabel St
CarlsbadCA92009
Cheap Homes for Rent in San Marcos, CA from $1,200 (15 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Homes available for rent right now in San Marcos.
1350 N Escondido Blvd
EscondidoCA92026
316 Crownview Ct
San MarcosCA92069
2629 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd
San MarcosCA92069
830 W Lincoln Ave
EscondidoCA92026
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.
3342 Silver Oak Ln
VistaCA92084
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$2,159Studio Apartments Available Now
Furnished Studio-San Marcos
1480 Grand AveSan Marcos, CA 92078
240 W Lincoln Ave
EscondidoCA92026
3430 Corte Viejo
CarlsbadCA92009
1620 1/2 York Dr
VistaCA92084
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.
3463 Caminito Sierra
CarlsbadCA92009
305 W San Marcos Blvd, Unit 88
305 W San Marcos Blvd
San MarcosCA92069
300 Smilax Rd, Unit 8
300 Smilax Rd
San MarcosCA92069
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$2,6752 Bedroom Apartments Available Oct 1
320 Smilax Rd, Unit Leasing Office
320 Smilax RdSan Marcos, CA 92069
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$2,6752 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
320 Smilax Rd
320 Smilax RdSan Marcos, CA 92069
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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San Marcos, CA Local Guide
How much does it cost to rent a home in San Marcos?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Marcos 2 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $3,151 | $2,000 | $5,900 |
| San Marcos 3 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $4,285 | $2,950 | $6,750 |
| San Marcos 4 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $6,122 | $3,800 | $10,000+ |
| San Marcos 5 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $6,498 | $4,895 | $10,000+ |
| San Marcos 6 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $19,000 | $10,000 | $10,000+ |
Note: Properties with the Total Monthly Price badge include all required fees. Hover over the badge for details.
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San Marcos, CA Local Guide
- San Marcos Neighborhoods
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Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in San Marcos, CA
Pricing Updated: 08/19/2026Current 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:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paloma | $2,550 | $1,925 | 46 |
| Lake San Marcos | $2,561 | $1,557 | 43 |
| Grand Estates | $2,591 | $1,557 | 72 |
| University Commons | $2,832 | $1,557 | 14 |
| Mira Lago | $3,539 | $1,900 | 285 |
| Vistas at Rancho Santalina | $3,584 | $1,557 | 281 |
| Richland Villas | $3,689 | $1,949 | 274 |
| Village O | $3,789 | $1,700 | 263 |
| Vallecitos Ridge | $3,831 | $2,000 | 251 |
| Atherton at San Elijo Hills | $3,839 | $2,000 | 250 |
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 Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Quince Street Senior Apartments | Studio, 1 bath | Studio,1BA | $1,373 |
| Casa Escondida | One Bedroom, One Bath | 1BR,1BA | $1,595 |
| Hendrix Apartments - A 55+ Lifestyle Community | S1 | Studio,1BA | $1,729 |
| Hadley Apartments - A 55+ Lifestyle Community | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $1,750 |
| 55+ Senior Living at Quail Creek Apartments | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $1,750 |
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 Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSB - Santa Fe Townhomes | 2BR/2.5BA | 2BR,2.5BA | $2.14 |
| Diamond Pointe | Three Bed Two Bath Home - Upstairs | 3BR,2BA | $2.42 |
| Windsong Villas | 3/2 Casita (Single Story) | 3BR,2BA | $2.45 |
| Country Club Gardens | Two Bedrooms | 2BR,2BA | $2.49 |
| Vista Flores Apartments | 2B 1B L | 2BR,1BA | $2.67 |
| Whispering Pines Apartments | 2x1 | 2BR,1BA | $2.22 |
| 55+ Senior Living at Quail Creek Apartments | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2.44 |
| Hadley Apartments - A 55+ Lifestyle Community | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $2.62 |
| Casa Escondida | One Bedroom, One Bath | 1BR,1BA | $2.59 |
| The Quince Street Senior Apartments | Studio, 1 bath | Studio ,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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Best Local Schools in San Marcos, CA
San Marcos High School
San Marcos Unified School District
Public School - Grades 9-12 (3067)
8 out of 10
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore San Marcos, CA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in San Marcos, CA
Frequently Asked Questions about San Marcos
What type of rentals are currently available in San Marcos?
There are currently 282 Apartments for Rent in San Marcos, CA with pricing that ranges from $1,373 to $12,909. There are also 87 Single Family Homes for rent, Condos, and Townhome rentals currently available in San Marcos ranging from $1,250 to $19,000.
What is the current price range for Rental Homes in San Marcos?
Today's rental pricing for Homes for Rent, Condos and Townhomes in San Marcos ranges from $1,250 to $19,000 with an average monthly rent of $4,285.
How much are larger Three and Four Bedroom Rentals in San Marcos?
For those who are looking for larger living arrangements, Three Bedroom Apartments in San Marcos range from $2,483 to $12,909, while Three Bedroom Homes, Condos, and Townhomes for rent range from $2,950 to $6,750. Four Bedroom Single-Family rentals are also available starting from $3,800 and Four Bedroom Apartments start at $5,125.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.