How much can I actually earn per month?

San Diego hosts typically earn $900–$1,300 per month for a private room, or $1,300–$1,600 if meals are included. Your actual rate depends on the room, the neighborhood, and whether you provide meals.

What does Host Guest charge?

A flat 10% service fee on placed students. Nothing to list, nothing to apply, and no charge if you never take a student.

How and when do I get paid?

Students pay Host Guest directly, and we pay you by direct deposit through Stripe on a fixed monthly schedule. You never chase rent.

How long do students usually stay?

Most placements run 10–12 months for a full academic year. Some students book a single semester, and you decide which stay lengths you'll accept.

Are the students verified?

Yes. Every student passes ID verification, school enrollment confirmation, and a profile and reference review before you see their request. You still approve every placement yourself.

Host with Host Guest · San Diego

Your spare room can generate spare cash

International students at UCSD, SDSU and local language schools want a family home, not a dorm. If you have a spare room, you can host.

$900–$1,600 per month

Private room, academic-term stays

See if your home qualifies

Takes 2 minutes. No fees to list.

A beautiful bedroom with natural wood furniture, a glass door leading to a outdoor patio, and a cathedral ceiling.

Verified students only

Verified students
·
Payments through Stripe
·
You set the house rules
·
120+ hosts in San Diego

Earnings

What a room in San Diego actually earns

Real host set rates for the 2025–26 academic year. You choose your own rate — these are typical ranges for a private room.

Private room

$900–$1,300 /mo

Bedroom, shared bathroom, kitchen and laundry access.

Private room with meals

$1,300–$1,600 /mo

Add breakfast and dinner — many students and families prefer this.

Typical stay

10–12 months

Service fee

10% only

Paid reliably, every time

No chasing rent, no cash handoffs. Students pay Host Guest, and we pay you on a fixed monthly schedule through Stripe.

Fixed, predictable monthly payouts
Direct deposit via Stripe — no invoicing
No fees to list, ever. 10% only when a student is placed
Deposit and damage terms agreed before move-in

A $1,200-per-month room earns you roughly $12,960 over 12 months after our 10% fee.

Calculate your room's earnings

How it works

Four steps to your first guest

Most hosts go from listing to a signed placement in under three weeks.

1

Tell us about the room

A few basics: where you are, the room type, and when it's available. Takes about two minutes.

2

Meet our team

A short call and a home review so we understand your setup, your rules, and what kind of student fits.

3

Review student requests

See verified profiles in your area. You accept only the students you're comfortable with.

4

Welcome & get paid

Your student moves in and payments land on a fixed monthly schedule.

Start step one

Who you'd host

Students, not tourists

No weekend turnover, no rotating strangers. One student, one academic year, one steady arrangement.

Who they are

International students and out-of-state students arriving for a full academic term at UCSD, SDSU, and local language schools. They're here to study — they want calm, safety, and a real family environment.

Most of our students come from

China India South Korea Japan Brazil Vietnam Germany Saudi Arabia

What they're looking for

A family home — not a dorm, not a shared investor unit
A quiet place to study and reliable Wi-Fi
Reasonable transit or a short commute to campus
Meals (optional) — many families share dinner
A clear, kind host who explains how the house works

Safety

Who's actually coming into your home

Every student is checked before you ever see their request.

ID verification

Government ID checked and matched to the student's profile.

School enrollment confirmed

We confirm acceptance or enrollment at their institution.

Profile & reference review

References read and a short interview before approval.

You stay in control

You review each student's profile before accepting

You set house rules — quiet hours, kitchen access, guests, curfew

You decide the length of stay you'll accept

If a placement isn't working out, our team helps you resolve it or relocate the student

Requirements

Is your home a fit?

Most San Diego homes qualify. Here's what we look for.

What you'll need

A private bedroom with a door and a bed
Access to a shared or private bathroom
Working Wi-Fi and a place to study
A safe, quiet home — no smoking indoors
Room available for a full academic term

Not sure? Apply anyway — our team reviews every home individually and will tell you honestly if it's a fit.

Many kinds of households host

Families with kids, empty nesters, and single adults
Homeowners and renters (with landlord permission)
Meals are always optional — host room-only or full board
You set the terms: rules, curfew, guests, and stay length

See if your home qualifies

FAQ

Earnings questions first

The money questions, answered straight.

San Diego students are looking for a room right now

Listing takes a few minutes. You'll see student requests in your area before committing to anything.

Start your host journey

Just the basics — no passwords needed yet.

First name

Email

Phone number

We'll only use this to reach you about hosting.

ZIP code

Room type

Available from

How did you hear about Host Guest?

No fees to list. We'll never share your details.

Your next step

Turn your spare room into monthly income

Join 120+ San Diego hosts earning $900–$1,600 a month hosting verified students. No listing fees, no lock-in, and you approve every guest.

See if your home qualifies Talk to our team

Verified students · Stripe payouts · You set the house rules