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City Report · CA

Barstow

Pop. 25,100·378th most expensive in California·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,315/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.7%
Month-over-Month
-0.5%
vs US Median
-$647
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Barstow · $1,315
More affordable than 87% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
61/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Barstow's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,315/mo
Expected by trend
$1,389/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Barstow's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$915
1 BR
$969
2 BR
$1,209
3 BR
$1,630
4 BR+
$1,991
Research median
$1,209/mo

Bedroom figures are derived from HUD Fair Market Rents and scaled to match Barstow's market median, because the published HUD values all ran above it. They are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,780/yr
At $1,315/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.7% YoY, -0.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Barstow, CA is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 13.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
25,100
Median income
$53,380
Median age
32.7
Renters
56.3%
Age distribution
30.5%
22.8%
22.6%
12.3%
Under 1830.5%
18–3422.8%
35–5422.6%
55–6411.8%
65+12.3%
Gender
49%
51%
Male49%
Female51%
Race & ethnicity
29.9%
17.2%
49.1%
White29.9%
Black17.2%
Hispanic49.1%
Asian3%
Other0.7%
Education (25+)
13.4%
30.7%
42.6%
13.2%
No HS diploma13.4%
HS diploma30.7%
Some college42.6%
Bachelor's+13.2%
Housing tenure
43.7%
56.3%
Owner43.7%
Renter56.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How Barstow, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,182 → $1,315
up 11.3%
Income
$48,219 → $53,380
up 10.7%
Population
25,123 → 25,100
down 0.1%
Renter share
56.9% → 56.3%
-0.6 pts
Bachelor's+
11.1% → 13.2%
+2.1 pts
Median age
30.6 → 32.7
+2.1 yrs

Compared with 2022, rent in Barstow, CA has climbed by $133 per month, settling near $1,315 after starting the period at $1,182. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $48,219 in 2021 to $53,380 more recently. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 11.1% to 13.2%. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Barstow, CA market of 2022.

Community

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View Barstow rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Barstow on your salary?

At $1,315/mo, how Barstow rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Barstow rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Barstow. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Barstow

About renting in Barstow, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Barstow is $1,315/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $915/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,209/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $969/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,630/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($53,380/yr), Barstow ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Barstow an affordable city for renters?

Barstow is considered moderate for renters. At $1,315/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($53,380/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Barstow slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Barstow?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $53,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,315/mo in Barstow. The local median household income is $53,380/yr, meaning the typical Barstow household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Barstow?

Rent in Barstow has increased 2.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Barstow rent compare to other cities in California?

Barstow is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #378 out of 381 tracked cities at $1,315/mo.

What percentage of Barstow residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 56.3% of Barstow households are renters, while 43.7% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Barstow has a strong rental market.

How does Barstow rent compare to the national average?

Barstow's median rent of $1,315/mo is $647 (33%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #378 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $1,315/mo, rent takes ~30% of Barstow's median household income ($53,380/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Barstow 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Barstow affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Barstow, CA

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