Average Rent in California

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Current Versus Historical California Rents

California rentals average $1,936 for a studio rental to $6,000 for a 4-bedroom rental. The median price of all currently available listings is $3,200, or roughly $35 per square feet.

For the apartment units and housing in September 2023, median rents have been roughly unchanged over the last year. Studio rentals prices have decreased by $780 (-30.30%) year-over-year from $2,575 to $1,795. 1-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $45 (2.14%) year-over-year from $2,100 to $2,145. 2-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $80 (2.95%) year-over-year from $2,715 to $2,795. 3-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $247 (7.15%) year-over-year from $3,448 to $3,695. 4-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $617 (14.74%) year-over-year from $4,183 to $4,800. Note that this figure includes all active and rented listings throughout the month.

Month-to-month, seasonality might have a bigger impact than overall trend price changes. Studio rents have gone up by 1.80% this month. 1-bedroom rents have gone down by 0.00% this month. 2-bedroom rents have gone up by 0.81% this month. 3-bedroom rents have gone up by 1.95% this month. 4-bedroom rents have gone up by 2.49% this month.

Beds	Price / Sqft	Sep 2023 Rent	1 Yr Ago Rent (% +/-)	3 Yr Ago Rent (% +/-)
Studio	$51	$1,795	$2,575 (-30.30%)	$1,690 (6.21%)
1 BR	$41	$2,145	$2,100 (2.14%)	$1,750 (22.57%)
2 BR	$35	$2,795	$2,715 (2.95%)	$2,362 (18.35%)
3 BR	$31	$3,695	$3,448 (7.15%)	$3,128 (18.14%)
4+ BR	$31	$4,800	$4,183 (14.74%)	$3,817 (25.76%)

Historical Rents in California

Studio

1 Bed

2 Bed

3 Bed

4 Bed

Top Cities Near California

There are a total of 50 cities nearby California. The average rent in California is currently $2,118 per month. A total of 33 cities nearby have an average rent lower than that. Our records show that Albuquerque, NM, with an average rent of $1,295, is the most affordable city nearby. In contrast, the most expensive city near California is Aspen, CO. Monthly rents here are on average $35,000 per month.

Let's compare California's rent against other top cities nearby by bedroom size. Typically, rent for studios in California is 46.80% more expensive than other cities nearby. One bedrooms are about 34.13% more expensive. Two bedrooms in California are about 34.63% more expensive. Finally, rent for three bedrooms are about 35.32% more expensive. Want more information? Check out the top 10 cities out of 50 total cities near California in the following chart.

City	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
Bakersfield, CA	$950	$1,098	$1,350	$1,538
Reno, NV	$1,000	$1,225	$1,525	$1,550
Fresno, CA	$1,075	$1,275	$1,565	$1,795
Sacramento, CA	$1,375	$1,495	$1,895	$1,848
Sparks, NV	$988	$1,195	$1,595	$1,995
San Francisco, CA	$2,725	$3,477	$4,833	$3,979
Los Angeles, CA	$2,195	$2,788	$4,240	$4,950
West Hollywood, CA	$2,095	$3,750	$5,948	$6,100
Santa Monica, CA	$2,300	$3,163	$6,875	$6,500
Malibu, CA	N/A	$6,975	$8,800	$27,500

Top Neighborhoods Near California

There are a total of 45 neighborhoods in or near California. Some of these neighborhoods include Northwest District, Spokane Valley, and Green Valley South. We've included the top 30 neighborhoods out of 45 total neighborhoods in or near California in the following chart.

The average rent for these 30 neighborhoods in or near California is currently around $2,733 per month. A total of 27 neighborhoods have a lower average rent. Meaning, only three neighborhoods have a higher average rent than $2,733. Out of all the neighborhoods in or near California, Northwest District has the most affordable average rent at $1,395 per month. Whereas, at $17,500 average rent per month, Bel Air-Beverly Crest is the most expensive neighborhood in or near California. View the following chart for more information.

Neighborhood	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
Northwest District, Portland, OR	$1,125	$1,475	$2,199	$1,395
Spokane Valley, WA	N/A	$1,100	$1,295	$1,395
Green Valley South, Henderson, NV	N/A	N/A	$1,773	$1,985
Winchester, NV	N/A	$2,000	$2,448	$2,050
Downtown Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV	$995	$2,100	$2,390	$2,100
Silverado Ranch, Paradise, NV	N/A	$1,495	$1,700	$2,198
Rhodes Ranch, Spring Valley, NV	N/A	$1,300	$1,605	$2,200
Mountain Edge, Enterprise, NV	N/A	N/A	N/A	$2,200
Green Valley North, Henderson, NV	N/A	$1,250	$1,625	$2,245
Mira Villas, Las Vegas, NV	N/A	$1,413	$1,998	$2,400
Downtown Redmond, Redmond, WA	$1,927	$2,188	$2,959	$2,464
The Strip, Paradise, NV	$2,169	$1,873	$2,795	$2,495
North Park, San Diego, CA	$1,938	$2,323	$3,025	$2,500
Historic Cultural, Los Angeles, CA	$2,208	$2,442	$3,188	$2,547
Wilshire Center - Koreatown, Los Angeles, CA	$2,053	$2,553	$3,400	$2,625
Imperial Beach, CA	$1,885	$1,985	$2,800	$2,850
Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA	$2,113	$2,800	$5,000	$3,000
Irvine Business Complex, Irvine, CA	$2,672	$3,000	$3,673	$3,486
South of Market, San Francisco, CA	$2,833	$3,570	$4,879	$3,921
Woodland Hills-Warner Center, Los Angeles, CA	$2,498	$2,440	$3,099	$4,450
McCormick Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ	$3,285	$2,200	$3,750	$4,950
Venice, Los Angeles, CA	$2,498	$3,158	$5,950	$5,900
Westwood, Los Angeles, CA	N/A	$4,625	$5,995	$5,998
Westside, Los Angeles, CA	$2,600	$2,950	$8,750	$6,223
Mid-City West, Los Angeles, CA	N/A	$4,360	$5,600	$6,500
Hollywood Hills West, Los Angeles, CA	$2,336	$2,415	$5,900	$7,500
Encino, Los Angeles, CA	N/A	$2,577	$3,100	$8,950
Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA	$2,295	$4,450	$5,250	$12,248
Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, CA	N/A	$3,600	$6,995	$15,250
Bel Air-Beverly Crest, Los Angeles, CA	N/A	$210,000	$7,000	$17,500

Top Counties Near California

There are a total of 45 counties located by California. Some of these counties include Kern, CA, Tulare, CA, and Merced, CA. The average rent for rentals in these counties is $1,962. That's roughly around $21 per sqft. A total of 41 counties have a lower average rent. The county that is the most affordable is Shasta, CA. It's average rent per month is $1,350. Vice versa, with an average rent of $39,000, Pitkin, CO is the most expensive county by California.

Typically, rent for studios in California is 37.05% more expensive than other counties nearby. In comparison, rent for one bedroom listings in California is 37.86% more expensive than other counties nearby. Finally, rent for two bedrooms in California is 40.11% more expensive than other counties nearby. We've listed the top 10 counties in the chart below.

County	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
Kern, CA	$925	$1,025	$1,300	$1,495
Tulare, CA	$900	$898	$1,375	$1,725
Merced, CA	$895	$1,123	$1,400	$1,850
Fresno, CA	$1,170	$1,275	$1,538	$1,929
San Luis Obispo, CA	$1,819	$2,100	$2,500	$2,750
Alameda, CA	$2,195	$2,416	$2,892	$2,808
San Mateo, CA	$2,240	$2,780	$3,385	$3,250
Santa Clara, CA	$1,962	$2,640	$3,295	$3,287
San Francisco, CA	$2,725	$3,477	$4,833	$3,979
Santa Barbara, CA	$2,150	$2,475	$3,450	$4,525

Top Zipcodes Near California

There are a total of 50 zipcodes in or near California. The average rent for all of these zipcodes is $2,390. A total of 32 zipcodes have a average rent that is lower than that. The zipcode with the most affordable average rent for apartment listings is 93309, Bakersfield, CA at $1,375 per month. In comparison, the zipcode with the most expensive average rent of $40,000 per month is 81611, Pitkin County, CO.

Do you need more space than that? Average rent for one bedroom rentals for the zipcodes in or near California is $1,498 per month. Or in other words, $30 per sqft. Meanwhile, two bedroom apartments will cost you an average of $2,170 per month. Which comes out to $23 per sqft. The following chart includes the top 10 zipcodes in California. You can view the average rent breakdown for each zipcode by bedroom size.

Zipcode	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
81611, Pitkin County, CO	$8,050	$8,500	$20,000	$40,000
92253, La Quinta, CA	N/A	$2,400	$4,300	$6,500
89052, Henderson, NV	N/A	$1,895	$2,190	$2,600
89117, Las Vegas, NV	N/A	$1,295	$1,595	$2,200
89148, Clark County, NV	N/A	N/A	$1,750	$2,200
90265, Los Angeles County, CA	N/A	$7,850	$8,875	$22,500
89128, Las Vegas, NV	N/A	$1,210	$1,625	$2,188
89113, Spring Valley, NV	N/A	$1,275	$1,699	$2,299
92651, Orange County, CA	N/A	$3,875	$7,250	$9,200
90069, Los Angeles, CA	$2,775	$4,875	$7,950	$9,748

Frequently Asked Questions - California Average Rents

What is the average rent price in California?

The average monthly rental price for California apartments for rent is approximately $3,200. This calculation takes into consideration rental listings of varying bedroom/bathroom sizes, building types, and locations.

Do California rent prices drop in winter?

Yes! On average we see a 3.4% drop in rental prices between the peak summer months and the slower winter months. With the added bonus of decreased competition from other renters looking to move, winter is generally considered the best time of the year to find an apartment for rent in California.

How much is a studio apartment in California?

The average monthly rental price for studio apartments is $1,936 and an average price per square feet of $51.36. There are a total of 621 studio apartment listings currently available for rent in California.

How much is a one bedroom apartment in California?

The average monthly rental price for one bedroom apartments is $2,245 and an average price per square feet of $40.73. There are a total of 2,645 one bedroom apartment listings currently available for rent in California.

How much is a two bedroom apartment in California?

The average monthly rental price for two bedroom apartments is $2,899 and an average price per square feet of $34.60. There are a total of 4,510 two bedroom apartment listings currently available for rent in California.

How have rent prices in California changed this year?

Rent prices for rentals in California can fluctuate yearly. Specifically, studio rental prices have changed by -0.30%, one bedroom rental prices have changed by 0.02%, two bedroom rental prices have changed by 0.03%, and three bedroom rental prices have changed by 0.07% year-over-year.

What is a reasonable rent price in California?

A reasonable rent price in California is around $2,560/month. You can search for these reasonably priced rental listings on RentHop.