Everything you need to know about finding an apartment, understanding your rights, researching buildings, and navigating San Diego's rental market.
Check violations, landlord history, and building scores for free.
Everything you need to know about apartment hunting in San Diego. From setting your budget to signing the lease.
New to renting in San Diego? This guide covers everything from documents you'll need to common mistakes to avoid.
Find the best neighborhoods in San Diego for your budget. Compare average rents, beach access, and quality of life.
New to San Diego? Start here to learn the basics of apartment hunting.
Everything you need to know about apartment hunting in San Diego. From setting your budget to signing the lease.
12 min readNew to renting in San Diego? This guide covers everything from documents you'll need to common mistakes to avoid.
14 min readKnow your legal protections as a San Diego renter.
Learn how to research any building before you rent.
Understand the true costs of renting in San Diego.
70 miles of beaches from Coronado to La Jolla. Many neighborhoods offer walking distance to the sand.
San Diego averages 266 sunny days per year. Mild temperatures year-round mean fewer heating/cooling issues.
The Trolley system connects Downtown to the border, airport, and major employment centers.
San Diego does not have citywide rent control. However, California's AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act) applies to most buildings built before 2005, capping annual rent increases at 5% + local CPI (maximum 10% total).
Read our AB 1482 Guide →As of 2026, the median rent for a 1-bedroom in San Diego is around $2,400/month. You'll need first month's rent, security deposit (max 2 months for unfurnished), and most landlords require income of 2.5-3x monthly rent.
See neighborhoods by budget →San Diego tenants have rights under California law including: habitable housing conditions, security deposit limits (2 months unfurnished), 21-day deposit return, Just Cause eviction protection under AB 1482, and anti-retaliation protections.
Read our Tenant Rights Guide →All information in this guide is based on official San Diego and California data and regulations. StreetSmart aggregates data from multiple city agencies to give you the most complete picture of any building.
StreetSmart covers 10 major US cities. Explore renters guides for:
Search any San Diego building to find violations, landlord history, and leverage for rent negotiation—100% free.
Find Negotiation Leverage