City Guide
San Marcos, CA
Overview
San Marcos, CA is known for its stunning views, outdoor activities, and proximity to San Diego. There are around 97,000 residents, so moving to San Marcos offers the benefit of small-city living with the perks of a larger city. A fun fact about the city is that it has 5 colleges and universities (CSUSM, California College San Diego, University of St. Augustine, Palomar College, and and Saint Katherine College). Another fun tidbit about the city is that you can tour old houses built during the city's founding days at the San Marcos Heritage Park.
What’s it like to live in San Marcos, CA ?
If you're looking to buy a home for sale in San Marcos, CA you'll find that the median sale price is
$950,000
and homes stay on the market for 14 days. You'll find that the median sale prices of
a single family home and a condo/co-op in San Marcos are $1,159,500
and $592,500
, respectively. San Marcos area townhouses have a median sale price of $845,000
, making them less expensive
than single family homes. If you’re not ready to buy a home, consider one of the many apartments for rent in San Marcos, CAExplore our San Marcos housing market page for insights about how home values have changed over
the years and how San Marcos home prices compare to other markets. Explore our San Marcos rental market trends page for insights about how rental prices have changed and how San Marcos rental prices compare to other rental markets. If you're curious about the most valuable home features in San Marcos, or looking for a new home improvement project,
discover what home features and design trends may help increase your home's value.
Popular neighborhoods in and around San Marcos
| Neighborhood | Median Sale Price | Compete Score | Walk Score | Real Estate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Escondido | $676,000 | 82 / 100 | 62 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Twin Oaks Valley | $1,172,500 | 70 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Country Club | $875,000 | 75 / 100 | 27 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Rancho Carrillo | $952,750 | 78 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Richland | -- | -- | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
San Marcos Articles & Neighborhood Content
Read more on the Redfin blog
Popular homes for sale in San Marcos
See all homes for sale
Rental listings in San Marcos
See how much rent you can affordSee all rental listings
San Marcos Migration & Relocation Trends
In Jan '25 - Mar '25, 27% of San Marcos homebuyers searched to move out of San Marcos, while 73% looked to stay within the metropolitan area.
- Across the nation, 2% of homebuyers searched to move into San Marcos from outside metros.
- Los Angeles homebuyers searched to move into San Marcos more than any other metro followed by San Francisco and Washington.
Where are people moving to San Marcos from?
- 73% of San Marcos homebuyers searched to stay within the San Marcos metropolitan area.
Where are people from San Marcos moving to?
Number of People Moving to San Marcos
least
most
People are moving to San Marcos from
| Inbound | Net inflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Jan '25 - Mar '25 | ||
| 1 | 5,956 | ||
| 2 | 1,878 | ||
| 3 | 415 | ||
| 4 | 235 | ||
| 5 | 93 | ||
| 6 | 87 | ||
| 7 | 34 | ||
| 8 | 23 | ||
| 9 | 9 | ||
| 10 | 8 | ||
Methodology
This data does not reflect actual moves. The latest migration analysis is based on a sample of about two
million Redfin.com users who searched for homes across more than 100 metro areas. To be included in this dataset, a Redfin.com user
must have viewed at least 10 homes in a three month period. This dataset excludes all rentals data.
What is there to do in San Marcos, CA ?
San Marcos is known for its outdoor recreation and nature. If you're looking to learn more about the city's history, the San Marcos Historical Society houses artifacts, documents, and photographs, aiming to educate and protect its local history. For live performances, venues like Howard Brubeck Theatre and Palomar Performing Arts are popular amongst locals. San Marcos is also known for its nature preserves and parks. You can spend time exploring green spaces such as Double Peak Park, San Elijo Hills Park, and Woodland Park. For a taste of San Marcos's cuisine, try Amalfi Cucina Italiana, Landon's East Meets West, and Flavor of Himalaya.
Explore some of the best things to do in San Marcos
What's the best way to get around San Marcos, CA ?
The best way to get around San Marcos is by car, but there are many methods for getting around the city. If you’re exploring the city by foot, San Marcos has a walk score of 33, meaning this area is car dependent. You can also get around San Marcos by bike. With a bike score of 30, there is a minimal amount of infrastructure for biking.
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
San Marcos Transportation
Bus Station
Buses can be found throughout the city and are easily accessible to commute in the city.
Rail Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Tram Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Metro Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Car & Bike Rentals
Renting a car is another good way to get around the city. There are 3 car rental locations.
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