San Diego, U.S.A.
Living in La Jolla, San Diego
Upscale coastal gem. UCSD, biotech corridor, stunning coves, and world-class dining.
A one-bedroom in La Jolla rents for about $2,500 - $3,000/month — a very safe area (safety 5/5), roughly 20 minutes from San Diego center by car.
Commute to Center
20 min
car
Safety Rating
5/5
Very SafeVibe
upscalebeachbiotech
Rent in La Jolla
Monthly rent in USD ($). First-hand contracts come straight from the landlord or housing company. Second-hand contracts are sublets, and they usually cost more.
| Apartment Size | First-Hand Rent | Second-Hand Rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $2,300 - $2,700/mo | $2,500 - $3,000/mo |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,800 - $3,300/mo | $3,100 - $3,600/mo |
| 3 Bedrooms | $3,500 - $4,100/mo | $3,800 - $4,500/mo |
How La Jolla compares in San Diego
Within AffordWhere's San Diego dataset, a one-bedroom here averages about $2,750/month — roughly 10% above the city median, and among the pricier of the 6 areas we track. Two-bedrooms run $3,100 - $3,600/month and three-bedrooms $3,800 - $4,500/month on second-hand contracts. At 20 minutes to the center by car, it sits farther out than most San Diego areas in the set. On safety it rates 5/5, among the higher-rated in the city. Based on its rent, commute, and the upscale, beach, biotech tags, it may suit renters weighing rent against commute.
Weighing options? For cheaper rent, see North Park. For a shorter commute, see Gaslamp Quarter.
Rent figures reflect official statistics compiled January 2026. See data sources.
Getting around & nearby amenities
OpenStreetMap maps La Jolla Natural Park as nearby green space around the La Jolla reference point. A school is also mapped within walking distance.
Amenity data from OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License (ODbL). The extracted amenity dataset is published under the same license.
Questions people actually ask
- How much is rent in La Jolla, San Diego?
- A 1-bedroom apartment in La Jolla costs $2,500 - $3,000/month (second-hand contract) or $2,300 - $2,700/month (first-hand). A 2-bedroom ranges from $3,100 - $3,600/month, and a 3-bedroom from $3,800 - $4,500/month.
- Is La Jolla safe for expats?
- La Jolla has a safety rating of 5/5 (Very Safe) on our scale. That is one of the higher ratings on the 1-5 scale; as always, check specific streets and visit at different times before signing a lease.
- How long is the commute from La Jolla to San Diego center?
- The commute from La Jolla to San Diego city center takes approximately 20 minutes by car.
- What is La Jolla like to live in?
- Upscale coastal gem. UCSD, biotech corridor, stunning coves, and world-class dining. In our data it is tagged as upscale, beach, biotech.
Other neighborhoods in San Diego
Downtown San Diego
0 min walk to center
1BR from $2,300/mo
urbanwaterfrontsports
Gaslamp Quarter
5 min walk to center
1BR from $2,400/mo
nightlifedininghistoric
Pacific Beach
15 min bus to center
1BR from $2,200/mo
beachyoungsurf
North Park
15 min bus to center
1BR from $2,100/mo
trendycraft-beerdiverse
Hillcrest
10 min bus to center
1BR from $2,100/mo
LGBTQ+walkablecommunity
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