Average Rent in California
Rental market overview for California, powered by HUD and Census data.
Median Rent
$1,727
Median Income
$92,941
Rent Burden
32.3%
Avg FMR (2BR)
N/A
Affordability
California: 32.3% rent burden, above the 30% affordability threshold.
Affordability Map: Income vs Rent in California
Each dot is a city, sized by population. The diagonal line is the 30% rent to income threshold. Cities above the line tend to be unaffordable for median earners.
How California Compares to the National Average
Median Rent
Rent Burden
Vacancy Rate
California Rental Market Overview
California has approximately 1576 cities with rental data tracked by StayRentals. Roughly 33.4% of housing units in the state are renter-occupied. The state's median rent is approximately $1,727, which is 27% higher than the national median of $1,365. (Source: Census ACS)
The average California renter spends approximately 32.3% of their income on rent, compared to the national average of approximately 30.3%. This suggests renters in the state may face greater housing cost pressure than the national norm. (Source: Census ACS)
With a rental vacancy rate of approximately 17.1%, the California rental market may offer renters more options and negotiating power. (Source: Census ACS)
Rent Burden Distribution Across California Cities
67% of cities in California have a rent burden at or above 30% of household income.
Most and Least Affordable Cities
Most Affordable Cities
Most affordable cities (lowest rent burden):
Most expensive cities (highest rent burden):
HUD Fair Market Rent by Bedroom
HUD Fair Market Rent data is reported at the county level for this state. See city pages for local FMR data.
Population vs Median Rent in California
In California, larger cities tend to have similar rents regardless of size.
Renting in California: What to Know
Renter protections and landlord-tenant laws vary by state and municipality within California. Most states require landlords to provide advance notice before raising rent on month-to-month leases, though the specific notice period varies. Some municipalities within California may have additional local tenant protections.
Housing laws change frequently. For advice specific to your situation, consult a local tenant rights organization, legal aid society, or attorney. StayRentals does not provide legal advice.
California Rental Market Trends
Rent trends for California are tracked through the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for shelter costs. Nationally, rent costs have generally increased over the past decade, though the rate of increase varies by metro area and time period.
Detailed monthly rent CPI data is available for major metropolitan areas. Visit our homepage for the national rent CPI trend chart, or explore individual city pages for local context. (Source: BLS Consumer Price Index)
Cities in California
1000 cities with rental data, sorted by population.
Showing top 50 of 1000 by population
| City | Population | Median Rent | Rent Burden | FMR (2BR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,881,041 | $1,791 | 34.8% | N/A |
| San Diego | 1,383,987 | $2,080 | 32.2% | N/A |
| San Jose | 1,001,176 | $2,526 | 30.0% | N/A |
| San Francisco | 851,036 | $2,316 | 24.1% | N/A |
| Fresno | 541,528 | $1,227 | 34.1% | N/A |
| Sacramento | 523,600 | $1,592 | 31.9% | N/A |
| Long Beach | 462,293 | $1,698 | 32.8% | N/A |
| Oakland | 437,825 | $1,849 | 29.8% | N/A |
| Bakersfield | 404,321 | $1,283 | 32.1% | N/A |
| Anaheim | 347,111 | $1,958 | 35.2% | N/A |
| Stockton | 320,030 | $1,417 | 32.7% | N/A |
| Riverside | 316,076 | $1,711 | 34.1% | N/A |
| Santa Ana | 311,379 | $1,885 | 32.5% | N/A |
| Irvine | 304,527 | $2,749 | 31.8% | N/A |
| Chula Vista | 276,103 | $2,035 | 33.9% | N/A |
| Fremont | 228,795 | $2,824 | 26.1% | N/A |
| Santa Clarita | 225,850 | $2,315 | 35.8% | N/A |
| San Bernardino | 221,041 | $1,319 | 36.1% | N/A |
| Modesto | 218,308 | $1,497 | 32.9% | N/A |
| Moreno Valley | 209,578 | $1,858 | 36.1% | N/A |
| Fontana | 209,279 | $1,616 | 30.5% | N/A |
| Oxnard | 202,279 | $1,907 | 34.4% | N/A |
| Huntington Beach | 197,481 | $2,318 | 30.1% | N/A |
| Glendale | 194,512 | $2,002 | 38.4% | N/A |
| Santa Rosa | 178,221 | $2,024 | 31.8% | N/A |
| Ontario | 176,326 | $1,826 | 35.5% | N/A |
| Elk Grove | 176,105 | $2,076 | 35.5% | N/A |
| Rancho Cucamonga | 174,696 | $2,184 | 33.0% | N/A |
| Oceanside | 173,722 | $2,078 | 34.9% | N/A |
| Garden Grove | 171,637 | $1,887 | 34.3% | N/A |
| Lancaster | 171,465 | $1,576 | 34.6% | N/A |
| Palmdale | 166,895 | $1,625 | 37.6% | N/A |
| Salinas | 162,783 | $1,795 | 32.0% | N/A |
| Hayward | 160,602 | $2,260 | 31.8% | N/A |
| Corona | 158,346 | $2,020 | 33.9% | N/A |
| Sunnyvale | 154,573 | $2,990 | 23.4% | N/A |
| Escondido | 151,114 | $1,833 | 38.2% | N/A |
| Pomona | 149,831 | $1,631 | 35.2% | N/A |
| Roseville | 148,879 | $1,940 | 31.7% | N/A |
| Torrance | 145,454 | $2,132 | 30.0% | N/A |
| Fullerton | 142,280 | $1,989 | 34.9% | N/A |
| Visalia | 141,466 | $1,289 | 29.0% | N/A |
| Orange | 138,728 | $2,148 | 31.2% | N/A |
| Pasadena | 137,554 | $2,100 | 30.6% | N/A |
| Victorville | 134,417 | $1,461 | 39.4% | N/A |
| Santa Clara | 128,058 | $2,841 | 25.5% | N/A |
| Thousand Oaks | 126,532 | $2,483 | 33.7% | N/A |
| Simi Valley | 126,153 | $2,402 | 35.5% | N/A |
| Vallejo | 125,132 | $1,894 | 33.6% | N/A |
| Concord | 125,007 | $2,137 | 34.5% | N/A |
Data Sources
**Data Sources:**
Data is updated periodically. Census ACS data reflects 5-year estimates. HUD Fair Market Rents are updated annually. BLS rent CPI is updated monthly.
StayRentals is not a real estate agent, landlord, or property manager. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Rent estimates are based on government data and may not reflect current market conditions. Housing laws vary by state and municipality. Consult a local tenant rights organization or attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents, U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index.
Data vintage: HUD FMR FY 2025, Census ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates, BLS CPI updated monthly. Government data may lag 1–2 years behind current market conditions.