2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Berkeley, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Berkeley, California as of July 2026. That's +10% lower than the citywide median of $2,941 and +60% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,660.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,107 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,216 |
| 5 | California City | $1,230 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $4,865 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 3 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 4 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Berkeley.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Berkeley |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, CA | 1.9 mi | $2,680 | +$26 (+1%) |
| Emeryville, CA | 2.9 mi | $2,860 | +$206 (+8%) |
| El Cerrito, CA | 3.7 mi | $2,640 | $-14 (-1%) |
| Orinda, CA | 6 mi | $2,930 | +$276 (+10%) |
| Oakland, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,513 | $-141 (-5%) |
| Richmond, CA | 6.9 mi | $2,375 | $-279 (-11%) |
| Alameda, CA | 7 mi | $2,720 | +$66 (+2%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 7.9 mi | $2,141 | $-513 (-19%) |
| Pinole, CA | 8.2 mi | $2,730 | +$76 (+3%) |
| Hercules, CA | 9.3 mi | $3,450 | +$796 (+30%) |
| Lafayette, CA | 10.9 mi | $3,510 | +$856 (+32%) |
| Moraga, CA | 11.1 mi | $3,150 | +$496 (+19%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Berkeley — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Berkeley?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Berkeley, California is $2,654 per month. This is +10% below the citywide median of $2,941.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Berkeley?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $106,160 ($8,847/month gross), which works out to roughly $51.04/hour at a full-time job.
Is Berkeley expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Berkeley's 2-bedroom median of $2,654 is +60% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,660. It ranks in the 89th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Berkeley rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Berkeley ranks #185 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Berkeley?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include El Cerrito ($2,640), Oakland ($2,513), Richmond ($2,375).