Rents are 2% below what California City's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,660 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in California City is 2.8% below its high of $1,707 in April 2026, at $1,660 as of September 2026.
Rent in California City changed +0.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent has fallen 3 months in a row, and rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($60,113) is $1,503 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,230); a 3-bedroom is $1,720.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for California City. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
California City, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 12.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How California City, CA has changed in 5 years
The median rent in California City, CA stood at $1,533 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,660, reflecting a 8.3% increase over the period. Census figures show median household income at $60,113 today, compared with $44,733 five years earlier. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has contracted by 3.4% since 2021, moving from about 14,914 residents to roughly 14,414. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.
Discussions about California City
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in California City on your salary?
At $1,660/mo, how California City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
California City rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in California City. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in California City
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in California City is $1,660/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $940/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,230/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $950/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,720/mo.
At 33% of local median household income ($60,113/yr), California City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in California City?
Is rent going up or down in California City?
How does California City rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than California City?
At $1,660/mo, rent takes ~33% of California City's median household income ($60,113/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for California City.
No discussions yet.