California Rental Market Trends
Last updated: April 22, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in California is $2,640, a 1.18% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,609.
Studio Apartments at $2,050 offer the most budget-friendly option with 500 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 706 square feet for $2,417, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $2,838 offer 994 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,278 sq ft) for $3,439, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in California
Last updated: April 22, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,640 | 853 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,050 | 500 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,417 | 706 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $2,838 | 994 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,439 | 1,278 sq. ft. |
California rent trends
What's the typical rent budget in California?
The largest share of rentals in California (27%) fall between $3,000- per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in California?
5,980,523 or 44% of the households in California are renter-occupied while 7,567,568 or 56% are owner-occupied.
How California Compares to Other States
| State | Average Rent | Average Apartment Size |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,318 | 991 sq. ft. |
| Arizona | $1,562 | 863 sq. ft. |
| Arkansas | $1,144 | 895 sq. ft. |
| California | $2,640 | 853 sq. ft. |
| Colorado | $1,818 | 876 sq. ft. |
| Connecticut | $2,149 | 897 sq. ft. |
| Delaware | $1,707 | 921 sq. ft. |
| District of Columbia | $2,457 | 748 sq. ft. |
| Florida | $1,971 | 982 sq. ft. |
| Georgia | $1,633 | 1,026 sq. ft. |
| Idaho | $1,670 | 929 sq. ft. |
| Illinois | $2,049 | 839 sq. ft. |
| Indiana | $1,337 | 908 sq. ft. |
| Iowa | $1,240 | 897 sq. ft. |
| Kansas | $1,323 | 909 sq. ft. |
| Kentucky | $1,324 | 932 sq. ft. |
| Louisiana | $1,259 | 924 sq. ft. |
| Maine | $2,057 | 837 sq. ft. |
| Maryland | $1,883 | 907 sq. ft. |
| Massachusetts | $2,832 | 881 sq. ft. |
| Michigan | $1,408 | 920 sq. ft. |
| Minnesota | $1,646 | 893 sq. ft. |
| Mississippi | $1,330 | 1,010 sq. ft. |
| Missouri | $1,351 | 901 sq. ft. |
| Montana | $1,697 | 886 sq. ft. |
| Nebraska | $1,351 | 934 sq. ft. |
| Nevada | $1,549 | 909 sq. ft. |
| New Hampshire | $2,146 | 877 sq. ft. |
| New Jersey | $2,414 | 871 sq. ft. |
| New Mexico | $1,404 | 836 sq. ft. |
| New York | $2,584 | 876 sq. ft. |
| North Carolina | $1,551 | 978 sq. ft. |
| North Dakota | $1,159 | 964 sq. ft. |
| Ohio | $1,337 | 901 sq. ft. |
| Oklahoma | $1,072 | 859 sq. ft. |
| Oregon | $1,742 | 845 sq. ft. |
| Pennsylvania | $1,797 | 889 sq. ft. |
| Rhode Island | $2,191 | 920 sq. ft. |
| South Carolina | $1,623 | 1,015 sq. ft. |
| South Dakota | $1,200 | 911 sq. ft. |
| Tennessee | $1,528 | 953 sq. ft. |
| Texas | $1,448 | 892 sq. ft. |
| Utah | $1,627 | 929 sq. ft. |
| Virginia | $1,993 | 923 sq. ft. |
| Washington | $2,027 | 829 sq. ft. |
| Wisconsin | $1,615 | 919 sq. ft. |
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Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all California apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.