San Diego rent is 90% over the national average.

Serving Families across San Diego County since 2014 Rent or Buy? Find Out What's Best for Your San Diego Future Renting in San Diego can be expensive, but does it really benefit you to buy? Let's look at the numbers. Data Snapshot: Los Angeles County: $3,607/month (76% higher than the national average of $2,052) San Diego County: $3,896/month (90% higher) San Francisco: $4,757/month (132% higher) Honolulu: $3,748/month (83% higher) Positives: While San Diego County has rents higher than the national average, rent hikes are slowing. San Diego saw a 3.1% rise, down from 5.4%. With all the new apartment buildings in San Diego, there are plenty of luxury and amenities-filled complexes to choose from. These buildings usually offer far more amenities than one can get in a home for an equal payment. Negatives: Despite slower increases, rents remain high. They will need to continue climbing until they reach a point where homes can be rented out for more than their mortgages. While the increases may have slowed in the last year, the increases will never subside. San Diego home values are 132.9% above the national average. Is renting better than buying in this market? It depends on your plans: Planning to Stay for 5+ Years? Buy a Home Reduced Annual Costs: Homeownership can lower your annual costs over time because your money is going to increase your equity instead of going into someone else's pocket. Appreciation: San Diego homes appreciate about 4% yearly (60-year average). An average home price of $980,000 is nearly $40,000 in annual equity growth. See all the rental data here