Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Lake San Marcos Neighborhood of San Marcos, CA from $800 (26 Rentals)

How Many Bedrooms?Done
Select your price rangeDone
to
Note: Properties with the Total Monthly Price badge include all required fees. Hover over the badge for details.
Lifestyle Matching SearchDone
Learn more about Lifestyle Search
By AmenitiesDone
By Community TypeDone
Features and AvailabilityDone
Done

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

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.

Read Article
close
View Me
Palomar Station
Rent Specials
$2,466 - $6,874
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,466 - $6,874
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Palomar Station

1257 Armorlite DrSan Marcos, CA 92069
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour

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.

Read Article

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.

Read Article
close
View Me
Melrose Villas
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Melrose Villas

1820 Melrose DrSan Marcos, CA 92078
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
Shane Park Plaza
1 Bedroom Apartments

Shane Park Plaza

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

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

Read Article
close
View Me
Hunters Pointe
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Hunters Pointe

7270 Calle PlataCarlsbad, CA 92009
  • Utilities Included
Showing Results 1-26, Page 1 of 1

Lake San Marcos, San Marcos, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Lake San Marcos Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Lake San Marcos area of San Marcos, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Rancho Santa Fe Village priced from $1,909. Alora Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,099. Here are the most affordable Lake San Marcos apartments for rent in San Marcos, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Rancho Santa Fe Village1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1,909
Alora Apartments1 bedrooms1BR,1BA$2,099
EstrellaOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,099
Meadow Creek Apartments1B 1B1BR,1BA$2,135
Benchmark Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$2,150
Grandon Village2+1 60%2BR,1BA$2,241
Vista Flores Apartments2B 1B L2BR,1BA$2,400
Palomar StationStudio - 4Studio,1BA$2,466
Elan Northwoods2 Bedrooms 2 Baths - 22A2BR,2BA$2,561
Virano Apartments1x2LW-10491BR,2BA$3,225

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Lake San Marcos, CA

As of July 06, 2026 the best value apartment in the Lake San Marcos area is the $2.46 price per square foot 2 Beds, 2 Baths Model at Sabrina Greens Apartment in the in the Carlsbad neighborhood starting from $3,450. The second greatest value Lake San Marcos apartment is the 2 Bed/2 Bath - Upstairs (Grey) 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.
Sabrina Greens Apartment2 Beds, 2 Baths2BR,2BA$2.46
Sommerset La Costa2 Bed/2 Bath - Upstairs (Grey)2BR,2BA$3.00
Virano Apartments1x2LW-10491BR,2BA$3.07
Elan Northwoods2 Bedrooms 2 Baths - 22A2BR,2BA$2.86
Vista Flores Apartments2B 1B S2BR,1BA$2.77
Benchmark Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$2.69
Grandon Village2+1 60%2BR,1BA$2.99
Alora Apartments1 bedrooms1BR,1BA$3.23
Meadow Creek Apartments1B 1B1BR,1BA$3.39
Rancho Santa Fe Village1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$3.13

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.

Read Article
Decorative image

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.

Read Article
Decorative image

Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

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.

decorative image of people with a giant lease agreement

Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Lake San Marcos, San Marcos, CA

Ranked #9

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

decorative image of woman handing cat to small boy

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Lake San Marcos Apartments

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

The cheapest apartment in Lake San Marcos is Rancho Santa Fe Village which is listed at $1,909, while the average apartment in Lake San Marcos costs $3,495.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Lake 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 6 regular apartments in Lake San Marcos that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

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

decorative image for Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It article

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.

decorative image for Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention article

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.

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

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.

decorative image for Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move article

Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.