Affordable & Income-Based Housing in San Diego

Affordability in San Diego, CA

San Diego has a median gross rent of $2,313 per month and a median household income of $108,077 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024). With 53% of residents renting their homes, affordable and income-restricted housing options play an important role in the local market.

• 39 HUD-assisted or income-restricted properties are listed in San Diego on Lease Lantern, totaling 5,581 units.
• These properties serve renters who qualify based on income limits set by HUD for the San Diego area.

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the San Diego Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 414 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Note that crime reporting methods vary by agency, so rates are not directly comparable across cities.

Getting Around San Diego

The area around assisted properties in San Diego scores 77 (Very Walkable) for walkability, 31 (Some Transit) for public transit, and 56 for bikeability, according to Walk Score. These scores reflect conditions near the assisted housing listings on this page, not the city as a whole.

Schools

San Diego is served by 286 schools across 59 districts, including 178 elementary, 40 middle, 66 high schools, and 2 other schools, according to NCES Common Core of Data. Ratings vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address.

Cost of Living in San Diego, CA

San Diego is one of the more expensive rental markets in California. The median household income is $108,077 per year and the median asking rent is $2,313 per month, according to Census ACS 5-Year data.

Affordable and income-based housing can make a significant difference for renters here. HUD-assisted and LIHTC properties set rents based on a percentage of area median income rather than market rates, which can mean hundreds of dollars in monthly savings compared to the citywide median.

• Citywide median rent: $2,313/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Median household income: $108,077/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Renter households: 53% of San Diego residents rent their homes (Census ACS 5-Year)

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 39 HUD-assisted properties in San Diego were mapped for flood risk, and none are located in a high-risk flood zone according to flood data. Renters at these properties face minimal flood exposure based on available figures.