Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Mexico Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Cabo San Lucas' property market is included in our pack
This article covers current residential rents in Cabo San Lucas, from studios to two-bedrooms, neighborhood by neighborhood.
We update this post regularly to reflect the latest Cabo San Lucas market conditions.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Cabo San Lucas.
Insights
- Rents in Cabo San Lucas jumped roughly 9% year-over-year, more than double Mexico's national rate of around 4%, driven by tourism employment and remote workers moving in.
- A two-bedroom in El Tezal or Marina typically rents for about MXN 30,000/month (USD 1,675), but in Pedregal the same unit can exceed USD 2,500 when priced in dollars.
- Furnished rentals dominate Cabo San Lucas, especially in Medano and Marina, because landlords target seasonal residents and remote workers wanting turnkey setups.
- Vacancy rates sit at roughly 6% overall, but in high-demand pockets like El Médano and Pedregal, vacancy drops to 3% to 5%.
- Rent per square meter in Cabo San Lucas averages MXN 290 (USD 16), significantly higher than most Mexican cities outside Mexico City's prime neighborhoods.
- Peak rental demand runs November through March, coinciding with winter high season when seasonal residents and snowbirds flood the market.
- Properties with reliable AC, backup water cisterns, and gated security command rent premiums of 15% to 25% compared to basic units.
- Young professionals cluster around Centro and Marina for walkability, while families gravitate toward El Tezal for newer builds with parking and pools.
What are typical rents in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a studio in Cabo San Lucas is approximately MXN 16,000 (USD 895 or EUR 820).
Most studios fall within MXN 12,000 to MXN 22,000/month (USD 670 to USD 1,230, or EUR 650 to EUR 1,190), depending on location and furnishing.
The main factors causing studio rents to vary are proximity to the beach or Marina, whether the unit is furnished, and whether it sits in a gated community with amenities.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom in Cabo San Lucas is approximately MXN 20,000 (USD 1,120 or EUR 1,030).
Most one-bedrooms rent within MXN 15,000 to MXN 28,000/month (USD 840 to USD 1,565, or EUR 810 to EUR 1,510), with furnished units in popular areas at the higher end.
The cheapest one-bedrooms appear in Las Palmas and Brisas del Pacífico, while the most expensive cluster around Pedregal, Marina, and El Médano beachfront.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom in Cabo San Lucas is approximately MXN 30,000 (USD 1,675 or EUR 1,620).
Most two-bedrooms fall within MXN 22,000 to MXN 45,000/month (USD 1,230 to USD 2,515, or EUR 1,190 to EUR 2,430), with gated communities and ocean views at the upper end.
The most affordable two-bedrooms appear in Las Palmas and outer El Tezal, while the priciest are in Pedregal, Cabo Bello, and Marina where many listings price in USD.
By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Cabo San Lucas.
What's the average rent per square meter in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
As of early 2026, average rent per square meter in Cabo San Lucas is approximately MXN 290/month (USD 16.20 or EUR 15.70).
Across Cabo San Lucas neighborhoods, rent per square meter ranges from MXN 200 to MXN 400 (USD 11 to USD 22), with budget stock at the low end and premium beachfront units at the high end.
Compared to other Mexican cities, Cabo San Lucas commands significantly higher rent per m² than Guadalajara or Monterrey, closer to premium Mexico City neighborhoods like Polanco or Condesa.
Properties that push rent above average feature ocean views, gated security with pools, reliable AC, and locations within walking distance of Medano Beach or the Marina.
How much have rents changed year-over-year in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
As of early 2026, average rents in Cabo San Lucas increased approximately 9% compared to January 2025, outpacing Mexico's national rent inflation significantly.
Main factors driving rent increases include strong population growth from tourism employment, steady influx of remote workers, and limited new long-term rental supply in desirable neighborhoods.
This 9% increase is slightly higher than the 7% to 8% growth seen the previous year, reflecting continued demand pressure where supply hasn't kept pace.
What's the outlook for rent growth in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
As of early 2026, projected rent growth for Cabo San Lucas is 6% to 10%, with well-located furnished one and two-bedrooms likely seeing the strongest gains.
Key factors influencing rent growth include continued population growth from tourism jobs, sustained demand from remote workers, and the pace of new rental inventory in popular neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods expected to see strongest growth are El Tezal, El Médano, and Marina, where demand consistently outstrips quality long-term rental supply.
Risks that could push growth below projections include increased long-term supply if vacation rentals shift to the long-term market, or an economic slowdown weakening local purchasing power.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Mexico. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which neighborhoods rent best in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the three highest-rent neighborhoods in Cabo San Lucas are Pedregal (MXN 45,000+/month, USD 2,515 or EUR 2,430), Cabo Bello (MXN 38,000, USD 2,120 or EUR 2,050), and Marina (MXN 35,000, USD 1,955 or EUR 1,890).
These neighborhoods command premium rents due to ocean or marina views, gated security with luxury amenities, walkability to beaches and restaurants, and lifestyle appeal for affluent tenants.
Typical tenants in these high-rent areas include expats, seasonal residents, remote workers with higher budgets, and senior hospitality professionals wanting to live near the action.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Cabo San Lucas.
Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Cabo San Lucas right now?
Young professionals most commonly rent in Centro (Downtown), Marina, and El Tezal, which offer walkability, nightlife access, and proximity to employment hubs.
Young professionals typically pay MXN 18,000 to MXN 28,000/month (USD 1,005 to USD 1,565, or EUR 970 to EUR 1,510) for one-bedrooms, with furnished units at the higher end.
Key draws include walkable restaurants and bars, reliable high-speed internet, modern gyms, and easy commuting to hospitality and tourism jobs.
By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in Cabo San Lucas.
Where do families prefer to rent in Cabo San Lucas right now?
Families most commonly rent in El Tezal, Las Palmas, and Brisas del Pacífico, which offer larger units, calmer streets, and gated communities with family-friendly amenities.
Families renting two to three-bedrooms typically pay MXN 28,000 to MXN 42,000/month (USD 1,565 to USD 2,345, or EUR 1,510 to EUR 2,270), depending on size and amenities.
Attractive features include secure gated access, on-site pools, dedicated parking, reliable water from backup cisterns, and quieter surroundings than tourist-heavy beach areas.
Nearby schools include Colegio El Camino serving international families, plus bilingual preschools and primaries along the Carretera Transpeninsular corridor.
Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Cabo San Lucas in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three fastest-renting areas in Cabo San Lucas are El Tezal (near Costco/Fresko corridor), Centro for walkability to jobs, and Marina for proximity to hospitality employment.
Properties in these areas typically stay listed just 10 to 20 days, compared to the citywide 25-day average, because tenants prioritize commute convenience and service access.
The rent premium for properties near major service nodes runs MXN 2,000 to MXN 4,000/month (USD 110 to USD 225, or EUR 110 to EUR 215) above comparable units elsewhere.
Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Cabo San Lucas right now?
The three most popular expat neighborhoods in Cabo San Lucas are Pedregal, El Médano (and beachfront Médano Ejidal), and Marina, offering lifestyle amenities and English-friendly services.
Expats typically pay MXN 30,000 to MXN 55,000/month (USD 1,675 to USD 3,070, or EUR 1,620 to EUR 2,970), with many landlords pricing directly in USD.
Key draws include walkable beach access, high-quality furnished apartments, reliable internet, gated security, and proximity to international restaurants.
Main expat communities include Americans (particularly from California and Texas), Canadians escaping winter, and European remote workers from Germany and the UK.
And if you are also an expat, you may want to read our exhaustive guide for expats in Cabo San Lucas.
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Who rents, and what do tenants want in Cabo San Lucas right now?
What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Cabo San Lucas?
The three dominant tenant profiles in Cabo San Lucas are hospitality/tourism workers, remote workers and seasonal residents, and local families seeking long-term housing.
Hospitality workers represent roughly 40% of the market, remote workers and seasonal residents about 35%, and local families 25%, though proportions shift seasonally.
Hospitality workers seek affordable one-bedrooms near commute routes, remote workers prioritize furnished units with good internet near beaches, and families look for spacious two to three-bedrooms in quieter areas like El Tezal.
If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Cabo San Lucas.
Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Cabo San Lucas?
In Cabo San Lucas, roughly 65% to 70% of tenants prefer furnished rentals, while 30% to 35% seek unfurnished, making furnished units the dominant format.
Furnished apartments command a premium of MXN 3,000 to MXN 6,000/month (USD 170 to USD 335, or EUR 160 to EUR 325) over equivalent unfurnished units.
Those preferring furnished rentals include remote workers, seasonal residents staying a few months, and expats avoiding the hassle of buying furniture abroad.
Which amenities increase rent the most in Cabo San Lucas?
The five top rent-boosting amenities in Cabo San Lucas are reliable multi-split AC, backup water cisterns, gated 24-hour security, swimming pools, and high-speed internet readiness.
AC adds MXN 2,000 to MXN 3,500/month (USD 110 to USD 195), water systems add MXN 1,500 to MXN 2,500, gated security adds MXN 2,000 to MXN 4,000, pools add MXN 1,500 to MXN 3,000, and internet readiness adds MXN 1,000 to MXN 2,000.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Cabo San Lucas, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.
What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Cabo San Lucas?
Top ROI renovations in Cabo San Lucas are efficient mini-split AC, water system improvements (cisterns/pumps), kitchen refreshes, washer-dryer additions, and terrace shade improvements.
AC upgrades cost MXN 25,000 to MXN 50,000 for MXN 2,500/month rent boost; water systems cost MXN 15,000 to MXN 35,000 for MXN 2,000 boost; kitchens cost MXN 40,000 to MXN 80,000 for MXN 3,000 boost; washer-dryers cost MXN 20,000 to MXN 35,000 for MXN 1,500 boost; terraces cost MXN 15,000 to MXN 40,000 for MXN 1,000 to MXN 2,000 boost.
Poor-ROI renovations to avoid include luxury bathroom overhauls, overly customized built-ins, and expensive landscaping in areas where tenants rarely use outdoor space.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Mexico versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How strong is rental demand in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the vacancy rate for long-term rentals in Cabo San Lucas is approximately 6%, indicating a tight market where well-priced units find tenants quickly.
Vacancy ranges from 3% to 5% in high-demand areas like El Médano, Marina, and Pedregal, up to 7% to 10% in car-dependent zones where rents overshoot local incomes.
The current 6% is below historical average, reflecting sustained demand from population growth and remote worker migration keeping the market tight.
Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Cabo San Lucas.
How many days do rentals stay listed in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average rental in Cabo San Lucas stays listed approximately 25 days, assuming correct pricing.
Days on market range from 10 to 20 for hot units in El Tezal, Medano, or Marina, up to 30 to 60+ days for overpriced or inconveniently located properties.
The 25-day average is roughly in line with one year ago, reflecting a competitive market for well-priced rentals that punishes overpricing.
Which months have peak tenant demand in Cabo San Lucas?
Peak tenant demand in Cabo San Lucas runs November through March, coinciding with winter high season when seasonal residents and snowbirds seek furnished long-term rentals.
Drivers include North American visitors escaping cold winters, peak tourism employment bringing workers seeking housing, and a smaller late-summer bump from relocations.
Lowest demand falls May through September when heat peaks and seasonal residents leave, giving landlords less pricing leverage.
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What will my monthly costs be in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
What property taxes should landlords expect in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
As of early 2026, landlords should expect annual predial of MXN 6,000 to MXN 30,000 (USD 335 to USD 1,675, or EUR 325 to EUR 1,620) for a typical condo, roughly MXN 500 to MXN 2,500/month.
Annual predial ranges from MXN 3,000 (USD 170) for modest units up to MXN 50,000+ (USD 2,800+) for luxury Pedregal or beachfront properties.
Predial is calculated on assessed value, typically 0.10% to 0.25%, and the safest approach is checking your property account with the local Tesorería.
Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in Cabo San Lucas, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.
What maintenance budget per year is realistic in Cabo San Lucas right now?
A realistic annual maintenance budget is approximately 1% of property value, often MXN 24,000 to MXN 72,000/year (USD 1,340 to USD 4,020), or MXN 2,000 to MXN 6,000/month for mid-market condos.
Costs range from MXN 15,000 (USD 840) for newer units to MXN 100,000+ (USD 5,585+) for older properties, plus HOA fees for gated communities.
Landlords typically set aside 8% to 12% of rental income for maintenance, plus HOA fees of MXN 1,500 to MXN 4,000/month for properties with pools and security.
What utilities do landlords often pay in Cabo San Lucas right now?
Utilities landlords commonly cover in Cabo San Lucas are water (often in HOA or paid directly), internet (bundled in furnished rentals), and occasionally electricity for semi-serviced units.
Typical monthly costs when landlord-paid: water MXN 400 to MXN 800 (USD 22 to USD 45), internet MXN 600 to MXN 1,200 (USD 35 to USD 70), electricity MXN 1,500 to MXN 4,000 (USD 85 to USD 225) with heavy AC.
Common practice: tenants pay electricity (AC usage varies), water is landlord-paid or in HOA, internet included in furnished but tenant-paid in unfurnished.
How is rental income taxed in Cabo San Lucas as of 2026?
As of early 2026, rental income is taxed under Mexico's ISR through SAT's Arrendamiento regime, with rates from 1.92% to 35% depending on income, and residential rentals are generally VAT-exempt when used exclusively as a home.
Main deductions include predial, maintenance, management fees, depreciation, and insurance, or landlords can opt for a simplified 35% blind deduction of gross rent.
A common Cabo-specific mistake is accidentally triggering VAT by offering hotel-like services (cleaning, concierge, linen changes), shifting from VAT-exempt "casa-habitación" to taxable hospitality.
We cover these mistakes, among others, in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Cabo San Lucas.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Mexico compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Cabo San Lucas, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used and explained how we used them.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| INEGI INPC Hub | Mexico's official statistics agency; authoritative dataset for inflation and price indices. | We anchored rent inflation discussions within Mexico's official CPI framework as the baseline. |
| INEGI INPC Bulletin | Official INEGI release explaining CPI methodology and latest results. | We grounded inflation-style rent discussions in official concepts and cited it for rent growth baseline. |
| INEGI Censo 2020 | Official census defining how population and housing statistics are collected. | We supported tenant profile and housing stock context for Los Cabos using census-backed structure. |
| CONAPO Population Projections | Federal population council; projections widely used for planning. | We justified demand pressure and explained why Cabo's rent growth runs hotter than national average. |
| Banco de México FX Reference | Central bank; FIX is the standard reference exchange rate. | We used it for MXN to USD conversions, keeping all conversions transparent and consistent. |
| Diario Oficial de la Federación | Mexico's official gazette; authoritative publication channel for government data. | We pinned an as-of exchange rate for January 2026 and applied it consistently throughout. |
| Inmuebles24 Los Cabos Rentals | Major Mexican real estate portal with large listing coverage. | We anchored asking-rent levels and average rent metrics, using listings to sanity-check pricing. |
| Inmuebles24 Apartments Los Cabos | Same portal with consistent filters for apartment rentals. | We spot-checked typical sizes and asking rents by bedroom count for rent-per-m² estimates. |
| Propiedades.com Los Cabos | Long-running national portal with good coverage of USD-priced listings. | We triangulated Inmuebles24 data and confirmed premium areas often price in dollars. |
| Vivanuncios Los Cabos | Major classifieds marketplace publishing average-price summaries. | We used it as a directional check on bedroom-level rent magnitudes. |
| SAT Arrendamiento Regime | Mexico's tax authority; official guidance for rental income taxation. | We described how rental income is handled for individual landlords, rooted in SAT's framing. |
| Ley del ISR (Income Tax Law) | Official legislative text for federal income tax law. | We backstopped mentions of rental income taxation and law-based deductions. |
| SAT Article 115 Reference | SAT's legal reference explaining how tax authority applies the law. | We supported that landlords can deduct eligible expenses or use simplified options. |
| Ley del IVA (VAT Law) | Official legislative text for VAT rules. | We backed the residential rent VAT exemption rule and flagged hospitality edge cases. |
| SAT Article 20 (VAT Exemption) | SAT's official reference to VAT exemption for residential rentals. | We stated the home-use exemption and highlighted where landlords accidentally trigger VAT. |
| Tesorería Municipal Los Cabos | Municipality's official site for property-related payments. | We confirmed predial is local and framed how to budget it despite varying rates. |
| OOMSAPAS Los Cabos | Official water utility for Los Cabos. | We grounded utility responsibility in a local institution and informed lease negotiation context. |
| CFE Electricity Tariffs | National electricity utility; tariffs officially published via DOF. | We justified tariff-based electricity costs and motivated realistic utilities budgets for AC usage. |
| El Informador (Rent Inflation) | Major Mexican news outlet reporting on economic trends including rent data. | We sourced national rent inflation context and explained how Cabo compares to national average. |
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