Short-Term or Long-Term Rental in San Diego: What the Numbers Show
Verdict: Short-term rental wins on gross revenue by a wide margin, but high operating costs nearly erase the advantage. Net yields for both strategies land around 1.8%, making San Diego an appreciation play rather than a cash flow market.
Best For: Appreciation-focused investors who can hold long-term; short-term rental operators who self-manage to keep more of the gross premium.
Scores out of 10 across yield, regulations, tax, risk, and market fundamentals. How we score
Underlying Assumptions (data as of April 2026):
- Property Price: 3-bedroom houses estimated at around $949,340
- Monthly Long-Term Rent: Approximately $2,899
- Short-Term Rental Nightly Rate: Around $368 per night (varies seasonally)
- Assumed Short-Term Rental Occupancy: 50% average across the region (varies significantly between specific locations)
- Available Short-Term Rental Nights: 330 per year (assumes 35 days for cleaning, changeovers, and maintenance)
- Regulations: Permissive at the county level with low restriction classification; local city rules within San Diego County vary. Transient occupancy tax applies at 12.0%.
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Estimates for a typical 3-bedroom house. Figures are modelled from market data; not guaranteed outcomes.
With 114 ZIP codes spanning rural backcountry to beachfront, the county-level averages mask enormous variation. Explore rental data in the dashboard to model your specific suburb, property type, and bedroom count.
Data reflects market conditions as of April 2026.
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This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial or legal advice. Regulations and market conditions change frequently. Verify current rules with local authorities before making investment decisions.
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