475 N Midway Dr, Unit 233, Escondido, CA 92027
$1,320/mo
6.2 mi · Fit 58/100
Fit58Safety55Walk20Study77Afford76
View detailsStudent Housing OS · San Marcos, CA
Updated Jun 2026Apartments near California State University-San Marcos
500 apartments available·From $1,320/mo·Best area: Near North·Avg fit 52/100
Featured near campus
850 Village Dr, # 3106, San Marcos, CA 92078
$2,350/mo
0.5 mi · Fit 78/100
Fit78Safety84Walk86Study83Afford64
View details850 Village Dr, # 2106, San Marcos, CA 92078
$2,350/mo
0.5 mi · Fit 76/100
Fit76Safety77Walk91Study74Afford64
View details6610 Ambrosia Ln, # 1127, Carlsbad, CA 92011
$2,861/mo
7.0 mi · Fit 56/100
Fit56Safety55Walk20Study93Afford56
View details372 Pala Vista Dr, Apt 3, Vista, CA 92083
$1,995/mo
6.0 mi · Fit 54/100
Fit54Safety55Walk20Study68Afford75
View detailsStudent Housing Network
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No roommate requests yet for California State University-San Marcos. Be the first student looking for housing partners.
Live listings near California State University-San Marcos(500 showing)
Within ~12 mi of campus · filter, sort, and save listings below
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Showing 1–8 of 495 listings (filtered from 500).
148 Elora Ln, San Marcos, CA 92078
3 bed · 2.5 bath · 0.5 mi from campus · 1,459 sq ft · Single Family
$3,750/mo
~$1,250/person split 3 ways
Student activity
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Fit71Safety86Walk85Study74Afford53
Quiet study environment · Walkable to campus
850 Village Dr, # 2302, San Marcos, CA 92078
2 bed · 2 bath · 0.5 mi from campus · 1,142 sq ft · Apartment
$3,145/mo
~$1,573/person split 2 ways
Student activity
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Fit76Safety75Walk88Study78Afford61
Quiet study environment · Walkable to campus
468 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd, # 470B, San Marcos, CA 92069
2 bed · 2 bath · 1.1 mi from campus · 950 sq ft · Apartment
$2,875/mo
~$1,438/person split 2 ways
Student activity
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Fit64Safety82Walk56Study72Afford64
Quiet study environment · Grocery nearby
468 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd, # 458A, San Marcos, CA 92069
2 bed · 2 bath · 1.1 mi from campus · 950 sq ft · Apartment
$2,875/mo
~$1,438/person split 2 ways
Student activity
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Fit69Safety75Walk67Study76Afford64
Quiet study environment · Grocery nearby
Student Housing Network
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No roommate requests yet for California State University-San Marcos. Be the first student looking for housing partners.
245 Knoll Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069
1 bed · 1 bath · 1.2 mi from campus · 700 sq ft · Apartment
$2,000/mo
Student activity
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Fit69Safety71Walk56Study82Afford68
Quiet study environment · Grocery nearby
553 Carrie Cir, San Marcos, CA 92069
4 bed · 2 bath · 1.3 mi from campus · 1,488 sq ft · Single Family
$3,800/mo
~$950/person split 4 ways
Student activity
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Fit59Safety78Walk55Study71Afford52
Strong social scene · Good roommate potential
443 Fitzpatrick Rd, Unit 102B1, San Marcos, CA 92069
3 bed · 2.5 bath · 1.3 mi from campus · 1,551 sq ft · Condo
$3,565/mo
~$1,188/person split 3 ways
Student activity
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Fit63Safety81Walk58Study77Afford55
Quiet study environment · Good roommate potential
224 Woodland Pkwy, Unit 157, San Marcos, CA 92069
1 bed · 1 bath · 1.6 mi from campus · 651 sq ft · Condo
$2,300/mo
Student activity
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Fit63Safety73Walk53Study73Afford64
Quiet study environment · Transit accessible
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Listing data provided by RentCast. Distances are straight-line miles from campus coordinates (33.1296, -117.1606). Not affiliated with California State University-San Marcos.
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Explore Life Near California State University-San Marcos
Campus guides, local events, and student deals — after you've picked a place to live.
Housing Near California State University-San Marcos: What to Expect
California State University-San Marcos enrolls 14,174 students, creating steady demand for off-campus housing in San Marcos, CA. Most students move off-campus after their first or second year either to save money or gain more independence.
Rent near campus ranges from $2,200/mo for a studio to $3,750/mo for a 2-bedroom — with 3 and 4-bedroom shared units often bringing individual rent down to $1550–$2350/person/mo.
The area is one of the more expensive student housing markets in the country. Planning ahead and securing roommates early is key.
Sample apartment types near California State University-San Marcos
These cards are illustrative—names and descriptions are generated from typical student housing near San Marcos, CA. Each button searches Apartments.com for real listings near this school (and matches the bedroom count where possible).
Park Landing
Best ValueSteps from the light rail stop, ideal for students who commute to internships.
$1,831–$2,100/mo
Studio · 1 BA · 0.3 mi from campus
Grove Commons
Most PopularModern open-plan lofts 2 blocks from the main quad. Pet-friendly, utilities included.
$2,272–$2,600/mo
1 BR · 1 BA · 0.5 mi from campus
Landmark Flats
Older building with character — garden courtyard, lower rents, walkable location.
$3,485–$4,000/mo
2 BR · 1 BA · 0.7 mi from campus
The Park
Modern open-plan lofts 2 blocks from the main quad. Pet-friendly, utilities included.
$4,302–$4,950/mo
3 BR · 2 BA · 0.9 mi from campus
Park Heights
Urban living with walkable access to restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores.
$2,483–$2,850/mo
1 BR · 1 BA · 1.1 mi from campus
Park Commons
New BuildingNewly built riverfront complex with floor-to-ceiling windows and kayak storage.
$3,268–$3,750/mo
2 BR · 2 BA · 1.4 mi from campus
Midtown Court
Full-service building with co-working spaces, a coffee lounge, and a private shuttle.
$4,047–$4,650/mo
4 BR · 2 BA · 1.6 mi from campus
Best Areas to Live Near California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos Heights
The closest neighborhood to California State University-San Marcos's main entrance. Walk to class in minutes — coffee shops and convenience stores line the main strip.
$2,750–$4,650/moFreshmen
Near North
A lively area with bars, restaurants, and weekend activity. Ideal if you want a social scene steps from your apartment.
$2,600–$4,450/moSocial students
East Side
Quieter residential streets with single-family homes converted into multi-unit rentals. More space, lower prices, a short bike ride to campus.
$2,000–$3,450/moGraduate students
Westgate
Downtown location with walkable access to the transit hub, employers, and city amenities — best for students with internships or part-time jobs.
$2,500–$4,250/moCommuters
Cost of Living Near California State University-San Marcos
Rent (1BR)$2,700/mo (1 BR avg)
Food & Groceries~$500/mo (mix of dining hall + groceries)
Transportation~$120/mo (bus pass or bike)
Utilities~$140/mo (as a separate charge if not included)
Estimated Monthly Total~$3,460/mo estimated
Student Housing Tips
Start Early
The best apartments near campus get leased 6–9 months before move-in. If you want August housing, start searching in January–February.
Read the Lease
Check: who pays utilities, guest policies, subletting rules, and what happens if a roommate leaves. Never sign anything you haven't fully read.
Choose Roommates Carefully
Split a 3–4 bedroom and each person's share drops by 30–40%. Use a roommate agreement to align on noise, guests, cleanliness, and bills.
More About California State University-San Marcos
FAQ — Apartments Near California State University-San Marcos
What is the cheapest housing near California State University-San Marcos?
The most affordable option is typically a studio at around $2,200/mo. Sharing a 3–4 bedroom apartment brings individual costs down to roughly $1550–$2350/person.
What are the best student neighborhoods near California State University-San Marcos?
Top areas include San Marcos Heights, Near North, East Side, Westgate. Each has its own vibe — some are walkable and social, others are quieter and more affordable.
What is the average rent near California State University-San Marcos?
Expect $2,200/mo for a studio, $2,700/mo for a 1BR, and $3,750/mo for a 2BR. Prices vary by proximity to campus and building amenities.
Is it safe to live off-campus near California State University-San Marcos?
The neighborhoods immediately around campus tend to be well-lit and student-friendly. Always tour in person, check entry security, and read tenant reviews before signing a lease.
How far are apartments from California State University-San Marcos's campus?
Most student apartments are 0.3–1.5 miles away — a 5–20 minute walk. Bus routes allow students to live 2–3 miles away without needing a car.
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