Rent to own Homes in San Diego, CA

With about 1.3 million residents, San Diego is the second-largest city in California, and it is still growing fast. Its main draw tends to be the beach, since the most popular areas of the city are right on the coast. San Diego is also the home of the famous Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND California, Belmont Park, and dozens more attractions.

San Diego, CA is a great place for affordable rent-to-own homes! With a median household income of over $83,454 and a median rent of $1,770, the San Diego, CA rent-to-own market is more affordable than the traditional housing market which has shown tremendous growth across the U.S. and with it, aggressive competition for home purchases. With the current housing shortage trend it can make it harder to become a homeowner, including in San Diego, CA. This means higher than average down payments for homes and higher qualification standards for conventional home loans. With a rent-to-own property, tenants are also buyers. You can live in the house for a set amount of time before you purchase it, meaning that you get to know the house, your neighbors, and your community before making the final purchase. This enables you and your family to make the right choice based on both information and experience. Rent-to-own is also a great alternative way to get into a home if you have bad credit or don't have enough saved for a down payment.

Check out San Diego, CA rent to own homes for sale, which may include auction properties, for sale by owner, and more.
Showing 1 - 44 of 440
New
1 of 6 1666 WALBOLLEN ST
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Rent To Own
 
Single Family Home
Spring Valley, CA 91977
4
2
1356 ft2
1960
New
2063 Saguaro Glen
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Rent To Own
Country Club
Single Family Home
Escondido, CA 92025
4
4
3100 ft2
2025
New
1 of 78 214 W Mariposa #B
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Rent To Own
 
Multifamily (2 - 4 Units)
San Clemente, CA 92672
4
3
1788 ft2
2024
28572 PASEO ZORRO
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Rent To Own
 
Single Family Home
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
6
8
6831 ft2
1992
3 ANDOVER CT
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Rent To Own
 
Single Family Home
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
5
6
6000 ft2
1997
1 of 55 2727 Morena Blvd
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Rent to Own Eligible
Bay Park
Single Family Home
San Diego, CA 92117
2
2
1200 ft2
1974
4036 Shasta St
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Rent to Own Eligible
Pacific Beach
Single Family Home
San Diego, CA 92109
1
1
513 ft2
1967
2020 Camino De La Reina
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Rent to Own Eligible
Mission Valley East
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92108
2
2
1025 ft2
1992
2250 Camino De La Reina
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Rent to Own Eligible
Mission Valley East
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92108
2
2
1025 ft2
1992
1 of 24 5402 BALBOA ARMS DR #449
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Rent to Own Eligible
Clairemont Mesa East
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92117
2
2
766 ft2
1995
3206 CAMINITO QUIXOTE
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Rent to Own Eligible
Otay Mesa West
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92154
2
2
966 ft2
1974
2990 MISSION BLVD #403
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Rent to Own Eligible
Mission Beach
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92109
1
1
540 ft2
1975
1 of 50 5645 FRIARS RD #360
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Rent to Own Eligible
Mission Valley West
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92110
1
2
854 ft2
1981
1 of 68 5865 FRIARS RD #3215
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Rent to Own Eligible
Mission Valley West
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92110
1
2
959 ft2
1988
New
354 SUNRISE DR
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Rent to Own Eligible
San Ysidro
Single Family Home
San Ysidro, CA 92173
3
1
1204 ft2
1945
6780 FRIARS RD #263
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Rent to Own Eligible
Mission Valley West
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92108
2
2
957 ft2
1972
8036 LINDA VISTA RD #2P
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Rent to Own Eligible
Clairemont Mesa East
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92111
2
2
874 ft2
1978
1 of 29 1861 THELBORN WAY
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Rent to Own Eligible
Egger Highlands
Single Family Home
San Diego, CA 92154
4
2
1663 ft2
1973
211 DAHLIA AVE #M
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Rent to Own Eligible
Imperial Beach
Townhouse/Condo
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
2
3
1116 ft2
1991
1365 SEACOAST DR #2
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Rent to Own Eligible
 
Townhouse/Condo
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
1
1
550 ft2
1973
5845 FRIARS RD #1301
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Rent to Own Eligible
Mission Valley West
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92110
3
2
1430 ft2
1986
3705 HAINES ST
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Rent to Own Eligible
Pacific Beach
Single Family Home
San Diego, CA 92109
3
3
2690 ft2
2013
8026 LINDA VISTA RD #2B
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Rent to Own Eligible
Clairemont Mesa East
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92111
2
2
862 ft2
1979
6455 LA JOLLA BLVD #229
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Rent to Own Eligible
Beach Barber Tract
Townhouse/Condo
La Jolla, CA 92037
1
1
713 ft2
1969
935 GENTER ST #202
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Rent to Own Eligible
Village
Townhouse/Condo
La Jolla, CA 92037
1
1
741 ft2
1990
5360 CALLE ROCKFISH #31
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Rent to Own Eligible
Ocean Crest
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92154
3
3
2014 ft2
2019
New
1 of 63 634 8TH ST #3
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Rent to Own Eligible
Imperial Beach
Townhouse/Condo
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
2
2
912 ft2
1980
4944 CASS ST #605
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Rent to Own Eligible
Pacific Beach
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92109
1
2
793 ft2
1973
1 of 38 8324 REGENTS RD #1B
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Rent to Own Eligible
University City
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92122
1
1
768 ft2
1985
1 of 9 2037 BURTON ST #43
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Rent to Own Eligible
Linda Vista
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92111
2
2
1138 ft2
1994
4750 NOYES ST #123
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Rent to Own Eligible
Pacific Beach
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92109
1
1
620 ft2
1977
1 of 31 12062 Calle De Medio
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Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
El Cajon, CA 92019
2
3
1139 ft2
1991
1 of 40 1165 DECKER ST #10
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Rent to Own Eligible
 
Townhouse/Condo
El Cajon, CA 92019
2
1
865 ft2
1995
1 of 50 12115 WINTERGREEN DR #4
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Rent to Own Eligible
 
Townhouse/Condo
Lakeside, CA 92040
2
1
819 ft2
1972
New
9728 MARILLA DR #611
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Rent to Own Eligible
 
Townhouse/Condo
Lakeside, CA 92040
1
1
728 ft2
2006
9729 Winter Gardens Blvd
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Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Lakeside, CA 92040
1
1
654 ft2
1971
1 of 16 750 ANASTASIA CT
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Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
El Cajon, CA 92020
3
3
1392 ft2
2021
3515 MONAIR DR #A
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Rent to Own Eligible
Bay Ho
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92117
3
2
1066 ft2
1981
6455 LA JOLLA BLVD #221
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Rent to Own Eligible
Beach Barber Tract
Townhouse/Condo
La Jolla, CA 92037
2
2
989 ft2
1970
New
9263 Regents Rd
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Rent to Own Eligible
University City
Townhouse/Condo
La Jolla, CA 92037
1
1
764 ft2
2000
8039 CAMINITO DE PIZZA #C
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Rent to Own Eligible
Mission Valley East
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92108
2
2
894 ft2
1975
6202 FRIARS RD #316
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Rent to Own Eligible
Mission Valley West
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92108
1
1
650 ft2
1971
6221 CAMINITO LUISITO
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Rent to Own Eligible
Morena
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92111
3
2
1221 ft2
1973
7565 CHARMANT DR #517
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Rent to Own Eligible
University City
Townhouse/Condo
San Diego, CA 92122
2
2
1037 ft2
1987
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Buying a Home in San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA is seeing rapid growth and San Diego, CA's' housing market remains not optimal with an average home price that is 189% above the 2025 national average. San Diego, CA is part of San Diego county and taxes are an important factor to consider when purchasing a home whether through rent to own or a traditional purchase. The average tax rate as of 2025 for county San Diego is 0.61% which is below the national average, which is 0.99%.

Median Home Price in San Diego, CA

Median Rent in San Diego, CA

Rent to own homes offer low monthly payments and flexible terms.

Top Reasons to Live in San Diego CA

Housing Statistics The median cost of homes in San Diego is about $360,000, which is more than double the US median. Of course, the cost of living in this city is also higher than average, so you can expect to pay more to live here. More specifically, if you want a condo, you'll probably pay about $253,000, while the median cost of single-family homes here is $390,000. The good news is that you will have lots of options, whether you plan to rent, buy, or rent to own, since about 48 percent of properties here are rental homes and 45 percent are owner-occupied. The vacancy rate is only about 6 percent, which is no surprise since so many people are eager to enjoy the pleasantly mild climate of San Diego.

Weather and Climate Whether you're tired of the constant heat where you live or want to stop shoveling snow, San Diego will delight you. The high temperature in the summer is usually no more than a cool 75 degrees, and the winter temperature rarely dips below 48 degrees. T-shirts, shorts, jeans, and bathing suits largely make up the typical San Diegan's wardrobe, with maybe with a light jacket thrown in there for the slightly chilly nights. Don't expect much rain when you get here, either, since precipitation is about 10 inches annually, compared to the national average of about 37 inches. Just be aware that the coastal areas of the city are susceptible to what is called June gloom, which consists of lots of clouds and a cool, humid feeling for part of the summer. If you live a few miles inland, you can avoid this, and you will actually notice slightly warmer temperatures year round compared to the coast.

Nightlife San Diego has plenty of nightlife options, with one of the most popular locations being the Gaslamp District. This area is made up of a few streets lined with historic buildings that house everything from newer bars and trendy nightclubs to relaxing hookah lounges and family-friendly restaurants. For example, you can watch sports on TV at the cozy Dublin Square Irish Pub and Grill, listen to live bands at Hennessey's Tavern, or smoke hookah and have a drink at Pasha Lounge. Many of the buildings in this area were constructed in the late 1800s, when this part of San Diego was known for its saloons and brothels. But thanks to some remodeling and revitalization efforts in the last few decades, the Gaslamp District has become a popular place for both residents and tourists who want to party, and the many hotels and lofts near the bars prove this. If you'd prefer to socialize along the beach, though, you can head to Pacific Beach to take advantage of the bars there, which are known for being casual and appealing to mostly college students. Just one example is the Pacific Beach Bar and Grill, which goes from a casual hangout during the day to a rowdy club at night. Mission Beach also has some bars and restaurants along the coast, drawing mostly tourists, while Ocean Beach's tiny beachfront bars - including the Arizona Cafe and Shades Oceanfront Bistro - appeal to laid-back locals.

Neighborhood Guide San Diego has more than 100 neighborhoods of all sizes, and each one is part of a larger region in the city. What sets the regions apart is mainly the proximity to the beach. Take a look at some of the most popular areas of this city before you start looking for rental houses and homes for sale.