Average rent in California
November 2026. Based on 45 live listings, updated daily.
| Size | Average rent | Lowest | Listings | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,560 | $1,225 | 2 | 38% lower |
| 1 bedroom | $4,054 | $700 | 15 | 187% higher |
| 2 bedroom | $3,536 | $1,395 | 17 | 110% higher |
| 3 bedroom | $4,910 | $1,195 | 11 | 146% higher |
| All sizes | $3,957 | $700 | 45 | 128% higher |
See 45 rentals in California Plan your budget
What rent costs in California
A 1-bedroom averages $4,054, a 2-bedroom averages $3,536 and a 3-bedroom averages $4,910 a month. Overall, rent in California is 128% higher than the US average of $1,735.
Using the common rule of spending no more than 30% of take-home pay on rent, an average 1-bedroom in California needs about $13,500 a month after tax.
Common questions
What is the average rent in California?
The average rent in California is $3,957 a month across 45 live listings (November 2026).
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in California?
A 1-bedroom in California averages $4,054 a month.
How much do you need to earn to rent in California?
To keep an average 1-bedroom under 30% of your take-home pay, you'd want about $13,500 a month after tax.
Is rent in California higher than the US average?
Rent in California is 128% higher than the US average of $1,735 across all listings we track.
Averages are calculated from live listings on RentFrat and refresh daily. Last updated 2026-11-09.