What rent can a San Diego unit carry?

At the market's average rate and occupancy, about $4,430 a month keeps a 20% margin and about $5,840 breaks even. The average includes large coastal homes, so a typical one-bedroom supports much less.

How much does an average San Diego short-term rental earn?

AirDNA's San Diego market averaged a $322 daily rate at 66% occupancy over the last 12 months, with annual revenue of about $64,400 for an average listing.

Can a renter get a San Diego STRO license?

Yes, if the lease allows subleasing for less than one month. Each host can hold only one license and run one unit at a time.

Are whole-home licenses still available?

Outside Mission Beach, the city reported 807 Tier 3 licenses still available under the 1% cap on September 25, 2026. Mission Beach (Tier 4) is at its cap.

What does a whole-home license cost?

$41 to apply plus a $1,129 license fee for Tier 3, and the license must be used at least 90 days a year to keep it.

What room tax applies in San Diego?

11.75%, 12.75% or 13.75% depending on the zone since May 1, 2025, plus the Tourism Marketing District assessment.

Rental Arbitrage in San Diego, CA

Researched by RentalArbitrage AdminData as of: September 2026

Permit required

Licensed and capped. Every short-term rental needs a City of San Diego STRO license, and there are four tiers. Tier 1 covers 20 days or less a year and Tier 2 covers renting rooms while you live on site. Whole-home licenses outside Mission Beach (Tier 3) are capped at 1% of the city's housing units, and Mission Beach (Tier 4) is at its cap. A renter can be the host if they can show a legal right to occupy and sublet. Read the rules and sources.

Average daily rate: $322
Occupancy: 66%
Annual revenue potential: $64,400

Source: AirDNA Figures for the San Diego market, trailing 12 months, as of September 2026. Markets are metro areas, not city limits.

How Much Rent Can a Unit Here Carry?

Most rent that breaks even: $5,837
Rent that leaves a 20% margin: $4,431

At the market's average rate and occupancy, a unit books about 20.1 nights and $7,029 a month. The ceiling assumes 3-night stays, an $85 cleaning fee against a $75 clean, a 3% platform fee and $480 a month for bills, insurance, supplies and software. Market averages include every listing size, so a one-bedroom usually earns less. Treat these as upper limits for a lease negotiation, not targets.

Run the Numbers for San Diego, CA

Pre-filled with the market's rate and occupancy, and a rent at the 20% margin ceiling. Replace the rent with the real asking rent of the unit you're considering.

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The San Diego, CA Market

San Diego has the highest nightly rate of the California cities on this site. AirDNA's San Diego market averaged a $322 daily rate at 66% occupancy over the last 12 months, about 20 booked nights and $7,000 of booking income a month for an average listing. The market average includes large coastal homes, so a one-bedroom inland will earn well below it.
It is one of the few big California cities where a renter can legally run a whole unit. The host needs a Tier 3 STRO license, and a lessee qualifies only if the lease allows subletting for less than a month. Licenses are capped at 1% of the city's housing units; the city reported 807 still available on September 25, 2026. Each host can hold one license and run one unit at a time, so this is a one-unit business per person, not a portfolio.

What a Unit Can Earn

At the market averages, a unit breaks even at about $5,840 a month in rent and keeps a 20% margin at about $4,430. Those ceilings come from an average that includes beach houses; run the calculator with rates from comparable listings near the actual unit before negotiating.

Startup Costs

At a $4,400 rent, expect roughly $17,200 before the first booking: a one-month deposit, the first month's rent, about $7,500 of furnishing and $900 of setup. Add a cushion of a few months of costs. Work it out properly with the startup cost calculator.

Risks to Weigh

One license per host, and one unit at a time
Tier 3 licenses are capped citywide, and Mission Beach is already closed
The lease must explicitly allow subletting for less than a month
The license must be used at least 90 days a year or it can be lost
Room tax of 11.75% to 13.75% depending on the zone, plus the tourism assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What Rent Can a San Diego Unit Carry?: At the market's average rate and occupancy, about $4,430 a month keeps a 20% margin and about $5,840 breaks even. The average includes large coastal homes, so a typical one-bedroom supports much less.
How Much Does an Average San Diego Short-Term Rental Earn?: AirDNA's San Diego market averaged a $322 daily rate at 66% occupancy over the last 12 months, with annual revenue of about $64,400 for an average listing.
Can a Renter Get a San Diego STRO License?: Yes, if the lease allows subleasing for less than one month. Each host can hold only one license and run one unit at a time.
Are Whole-Home Licenses Still Available?: Outside Mission Beach, the city reported 807 Tier 3 licenses still available under the 1% cap on September 25, 2026. Mission Beach (Tier 4) is at its cap.
What Does a Whole-Home License Cost?: $41 to apply plus a $1,129 license fee for Tier 3, and the license must be used at least 90 days a year to keep it.
What Room Tax Applies in San Diego?: 11.75%, 12.75% or 13.75% depending on the zone since May 1, 2025, plus the Tourism Marketing District assessment.