San Diego ADU Rent Estimator (2026)

San Diego ADU rents at a glance

San Diego ADU rents median around $3.85 per square foot per month as of April 2026 — softer than the 2023 peak of $4.10 but still firmly the second-highest market in our 5-city set after the Bay Area. A typical 600 sqft 1-bedroom detached ADU rents for $2,000–$2,650/month, while an 800 sqft 2-bedroom clears $2,800–$3,500. Beach and coastal-zone ADUs (Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, La Jolla, Coronado) carry a 10–20% premium over the citywide median.

JADUs versus detached ADUs

JADUs (junior ADUs under 500 sqft created within the existing home's footprint) typically rent for $1,500–$2,200/month. On a per-square-foot basis they often beat detached ADUs because of the tight supply of sub-$1,800 housing in San Diego. Detached ADUs win on absolute monthly rent and tenant tenure (longer average lease, less churn).

How condition affects San Diego ADU rent

The estimator's condition multiplier reflects what San Diego renters actually pay for: new construction lands a 10% premium, like-new gets 5%, standard sets the baseline, and a worn ADU loses 15% of its rent ceiling. Because most permitted ADUs in San Diego post-2017 are new construction, the citywide rent distribution skews high — you're competing primarily with other newly-built ADUs and not with mid-century apartment stock.

Top San Diego neighborhoods by rent

Highest per-sqft: Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, La Jolla, Hillcrest, North Park, Coronado, and the coastal North County corridor (Encinitas, Carlsbad, Solana Beach). Mid-tier: Mira Mesa, Clairemont, Linda Vista, Kearny Mesa, University City, College Area. Below-median: Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Spring Valley, El Cajon, and most of the inland East County. Use the estimator above with your specific ZIP for a tighter read.