Average Rent Prices in California (CA)
$2,5251
Average
$1,7401
Studio
$1,8691
1BR
$2,3301
2BR
$3,1201
3BR
$3,5671
4BR
🪄 RentalRealEstate Quick Answer
California’s average fair market rent is $2,525/month, ranking 2nd among US states highest rent prices and 62.76% above the $1,551 national average. This page covers California’s statewide rent averages by bedroom count, metro-area rent comparisons, and rent context versus neighboring states and national benchmarks.
As of 2026, the overall average fair market rent for a residential rental property in California is $2,525. Average rent prices in California sit above the national average rent of $1,551, in which California ranks as the as 2nd highest rent among all 50 states and the 49th lowest rent among all 50 states within the United States. In California’s large metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, CA or San Francisco, CA, the average rent prices tend to be higher, while alternative areas such as Bakersfield, CA, can provide more affordable options.
California (CA) National Rent Rankings
2nd
Highest Rent Among 50 States
49th
Lowest Rent Among 50 States
Above
The National Rent Average
$974
Per Month Above National Rent Average
62.76%
Per Month Above National Rent Average
Average Rent Prices in California (CA) Visual Chart
Studio
A one-room unit with a private bathroom.
1BR
A unit that has a separate bathroom and a separate bedroom.
2BR
A unit that has two separate and distinct bedrooms.
3BR
A unit that has 3 separate and distinct bedrooms.
4BR
A unit that has 4 separate and distinct bedrooms.
Average Rent Prices in California (CA) by Metro Area
| wdt_ID | Metro | Studio | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA MSA | 1132 | 1140 | 1483 | 2062 | 2488 |
| 2 | Chico, CA MSA | 1155 | 1270 | 1625 | 2260 | 2726 |
| 3 | El Centro, CA MSA | 939 | 1038 | 1362 | 1845 | 2285 |
| 4 | Fresno, CA HUD Metro FMR Area | 1347 | 1355 | 1664 | 2314 | 2660 |
| 5 | Hanford-Corcoran, CA MSA | 1150 | 1157 | 1469 | 2043 | 2451 |
| 6 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA HUD Metro FMR Area | 1863 | 2085 | 2601 | 3298 | 3672 |
| 7 | Madera County, CA HUD Metro FMR Area | 1055 | 1062 | 1376 | 1914 | 2275 |
| 8 | Merced, CA MSA | 1116 | 1213 | 1503 | 2067 | 2503 |
| 9 | Modesto, CA MSA | 1255 | 1356 | 1758 | 2442 | 2823 |
| 10 | Napa, CA MSA | 1912 | 2113 | 2773 | 3532 | 4134 |
| 11 | Oakland-Fremont, CA HUD Metro FMR Area | 2142 | 2385 | 2912 | 3724 | 4413 |
| 12 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA MSA | 1998 | 2250 | 2693 | 3652 | 4240 |
| 13 | Redding, CA MSA | 1172 | 1212 | 1590 | 2211 | 2667 |
| 14 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA MSA | 1692 | 1777 | 2201 | 2912 | 3514 |
| 15 | Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA HUD Metro FMR Area | 1748 | 1832 | 2255 | 3002 | 3460 |
| 16 | Salinas, CA MSA | 2173 | 2232 | 2684 | 3623 | 3945 |
| 17 | San Benito County, CA HUD Metro FMR Area | 2205 | 2212 | 2902 | 3944 | 4190 |
| 18 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA MSA | 2288 | 2459 | 3001 | 3998 | 4845 |
| 19 | San Francisco, CA HUD Metro FMR Area | 2485 | 2977 | 3604 | 4604 | 4772 |
| 20 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA HUD Metro FMR Area | 2621 | 2982 | 3483 | 4602 | 5010 |
| 21 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA MSA | 1732 | 1914 | 2512 | 3370 | 3861 |
| 22 | Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA HUD Metro FMR Area | 2682 | 2746 | 3236 | 4393 | 5246 |
| 23 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA | 3179 | 3298 | 4214 | 5377 | 5659 |
| 24 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA MSA | 2459 | 2746 | 3124 | 4075 | 4647 |
| 25 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA MSA | 1949 | 2155 | 2827 | 3887 | 4147 |
| 26 | Stockton-Lodi, CA MSA | 1288 | 1395 | 1742 | 2423 | 2922 |
| 27 | Vallejo, CA MSA | 1567 | 1705 | 2178 | 2911 | 3297 |
| 28 | Visalia, CA MSA | 1116 | 1123 | 1474 | 2028 | 2393 |
| 29 | Yolo, CA HUD Metro FMR Area | 1604 | 1615 | 2104 | 2917 | 3178 |
| 30 | Yuba City, CA MSA | 1166 | 1272 | 1550 | 2156 | 2600 |
Based on average of Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for 0-4 bedroom residential rental units throughout United States excluding Puerto Rico for calendar year 2025.
Year-Over-Year Changes in California (CA) Rent Prices
4.17%
or
$101
Year-Over-Year Increase
$2,4241
2025 Average Historical Rent Price
$2,5251
2026 Average Current Rent Price
$2,6301
2027 Projected Average Rent Price
Based on average of Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for 0-4 bedroom residential rental units throughout United States excluding Puerto Rico for calendar year 2025, 2026, and estimated 2027 projection.
California (CA) Rental Real Estate Resources
California Rental Property Management
California rental property management focuses on handling tenant relations, property maintenance, and legal compliance to help property owners maximize their investment returns.
California Rental Property Insurance
California landlord insurance provides real estate investors with essential protection against financial losses caused by property damage, liability claims, loss of rental income, and other risks.
California Rental Property Loans
California rental property loans offer investors diverse financing options for purchasing, refinancing, or renovating properties in one of the nation’s most competitive real estate markets.
California Rental Property Agreements
California residential rental agreements are legally binding contracts that outline the terms and conditions of renting a property, including rent amount, lease duration, and tenant obligations.
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California (CA) Rent Price Calculators
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Average Rent Prices in Other US States 2026
Rent prices for each state across the United States can greatly vary. Click on a State below to see the specific fair market residential rent prices for that state:
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1Based on average of Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for 0-4 bedroom residential rental units throughout the United States, excluding Puerto Rico.
Methodology
Areas with insufficient inventory or populations less than 25,000 were excluded from this analysis. Averages are based on the combined average of 0-4 bedroom residential rental properties throughout the United States excluding Puerto Rico.
Data
Rent prices are based on aggregated data from one and/or several sources noted below:
Disclaimer
The information included is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein does not constitute financial, legal, or any material advice. Data is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be personally verified through personal inspection by and/or with the appropriate professionals before making any material decisions.