1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Berkeley, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Berkeley, California as of August 2026. That's +24% lower than the citywide median of $2,861 and +56% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Berkeley
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Berkeley
Compare Berkeley's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $914 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $969 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Berkeley.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Berkeley |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, CA | 1.9 mi | $2,200 | +$22 (+1%) |
| Emeryville, CA | 2.9 mi | $2,350 | +$172 (+8%) |
| El Cerrito, CA | 3.7 mi | $2,170 | $-8 (0%) |
| Orinda, CA | 6 mi | $2,410 | +$232 (+11%) |
| Oakland, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,062 | $-116 (-5%) |
| Richmond, CA | 6.9 mi | $1,950 | $-228 (-10%) |
| Alameda, CA | 7 mi | $2,230 | +$52 (+2%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 7.9 mi | $1,481 | $-697 (-32%) |
| Pinole, CA | 8.2 mi | $2,240 | +$62 (+3%) |
| Hercules, CA | 9.3 mi | $2,830 | +$652 (+30%) |
| Lafayette, CA | 10.9 mi | $2,880 | +$702 (+32%) |
| Moraga, CA | 11.1 mi | $2,590 | +$412 (+19%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Berkeley — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Berkeley?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Berkeley, California is $2,178 per month. This is +24% below the citywide median of $2,861.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Berkeley?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $87,120 ($7,260/month gross), which works out to roughly $41.88/hour at a full-time job.
Is Berkeley expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Berkeley's 1-bedroom median of $2,178 is +56% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 88th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Berkeley rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 379 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Berkeley ranks #193 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Berkeley?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include El Cerrito ($2,170), Oakland ($2,062), Richmond ($1,950).