San Diego Apartment Sizes Remained Steady in 2025
The average new apartment in San Diego measured 827 square feet throughout the 2025 calendar year.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Apartments
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In 2025, new San Diego apartment sizes averaged 827 square feet, keeping the city at a consistent footprint compared to previous years. This figure placed the city 72nd out of 100 evaluated cities for average apartment size nationwide.
Why it matters
Understanding apartment square footage trends helps residents and prospective tenants gauge market competitiveness and the shifting availability of living space in urban areas. This data reflects broader development patterns that define how density is managed within major city centers.
San Diego averaged 827 square feet for new apartments in 2025, ranking 72nd among 100 cities. New projects currently under construction in the region reflect an even smaller average size of 704 square feet.
The players
San Diego
San Diego is the second-most populous city in California and serves as the primary location for this housing analysis.
The details
While San Diego maintained its 827-square-foot average, the national average size for new apartments reached 910 square feet in 2025. Developers are noted to be increasing unit sizes in other regions to compete for tenants, whereas local projects coming to market are trending toward smaller dimensions.
Timeline
2015 marked a period where San Diego apartment sizes were found to be increasing.
2025 was the year the average new apartment size remained 827 square feet.
Culture Shift
The trend toward smaller unit sizes in San Diego suggests a divergence from national efforts to increase square footage as a competitive advantage. This shift highlights a localized response to housing demand that contrasts with broader suburban or low-density development patterns elsewhere.
Prospective tenants should expect new developments to offer smaller living areas as current projects under construction average only 704 square feet. This trend may influence furniture choices and storage needs for individuals moving into new inventory in the city.
The takeaway
Smaller apartment footprints indicate that local developers are prioritizing density over individual unit spaciousness in new projects. Residents can adapt to these changes by focusing on multi-functional furniture and efficient organizational solutions to maximize their square footage.
Further reading
For more on market trends, visit Apartments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Diego Union-Tribune.
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