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City Report · CA

Bonita

Pop. 12,652·138th most expensive in California·Bonita rents are up 17.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,054/mo
Year-over-Year
+17.6%
Month-over-Month
+4.9%
vs US Median
+$1,089
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bonita · $3,054
More expensive than 92% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
31% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,054/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$122,000/yr
Local median income
$118,674/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Bonita's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,260
1 BR
$2,450
2 BR
$3,030
3 BR
$4,050
4 BR+
$4,930
Research median
$3,030/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$36,648/yr
At $3,054/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 17.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+17.6% YoY, +4.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Bonita, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 39.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,652
Median income
$118,674
Median age
44.1
Renters
24%
Age distribution
22.2%
16.4%
23.2%
13.2%
25%
Under 1822.2%
18–3416.4%
35–5423.2%
55–6413.2%
65+25%
Gender
48.4%
51.6%
Male48.4%
Female51.6%
Race & ethnicity
37.7%
48.6%
14.1%
White37.7%
Black1.9%
Hispanic48.6%
Asian14.1%
Education (25+)
19.1%
33.9%
39.4%
No HS diploma7.5%
HS diploma19.1%
Some college33.9%
Bachelor's+39.4%
Housing tenure
76%
24%
Owner76%
Renter24%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Bonita, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$104,694 → $118,674
up 13.4%
Population
12,970 → 12,652
down 2.5%
Renter share
22.3% → 24%
+1.7 pts
Bachelor's+
40.2% → 39.4%
-0.8 pts
Median age
45.5 → 44.1
-1.4 yrs

Median household income grew from $104,694 to $118,674 between 2021 and 2024, a 13.4% shift. Headcount in the area went from 12,970 to 12,652 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.5% change. About 24% of households rent today, against 22.3% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Bonita on your salary?

At $3,054/mo, how Bonita rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bonita rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bonita

About renting in Bonita, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bonita is $3,054/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,260/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,030/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,450/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,050/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($118,674/yr), Bonita ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 17.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bonita an affordable city for renters?

Bonita is considered moderate for renters. At $3,054/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($118,674/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bonita slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Bonita?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $122,000/year (~$59/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,054/mo in Bonita. The local median household income is $118,674/yr, meaning the typical Bonita household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bonita?

Rent in Bonita has increased 17.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Bonita rent compare to other cities in California?

Bonita is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #138 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,054/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bonita?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bonita ($3,054/mo): Spring Valley ($2,435/mo), National City ($2,472/mo), Lemon Grove ($2,618/mo).

What percentage of Bonita residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 24% of Bonita households are renters, while 76% are owner-occupied. Bonita leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bonita rent compare to the national average?

Bonita's median rent of $3,054/mo is $1,089 (55%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #138 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $3,054/mo, rent takes ~31% of Bonita's median household income ($118,674/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bonita 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Bonita affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Bonita
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bonita, CA

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