Rent vs Buy in San Diego, CA
Monthly cost of renting vs owning a median-priced home · 30-yr fixed, 20% down
Renting looks favorable in San Diego, CA
Price-to-rent ratio is 29.2 (under 15 favors buying, over 21 favors renting). Renting costs $2,881/mo; owning runs about $7,520/mo — $4,639/mo more to own.
| Monthly cost to own | Amount |
|---|---|
| Mortgage (P&I, 6.95% rate) | $5,337 |
| Property tax | $924 |
| Home insurance | $420 |
| Maintenance | $840 |
| Total to own | $7,520 |
| Average 2BR rent | $2,881 |
Based on a median home value of $1,007,800 with a $201,560 down payment. Owning also builds equity over time, which a monthly comparison doesn't capture. Estimates use national averages for taxes, insurance and maintenance — your actual costs will vary.