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City Report · CA

Carson

Pop. 92,871·160th most expensive in California·Carson rents have dropped 5.9%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$2,953/mo
Year-over-Year
-5.9%
Month-over-Month
-4.2%
vs US Median
+$988
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Carson · $2,953
More expensive than 90% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
72/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 11% below what Carson's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,953/mo
Expected by trend
$3,318/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Carson's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,810
1 BR
$2,030
2 BR
$2,560
3 BR
$3,250
4 BR+
$3,610
Research median
$2,560/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
$35,436/yr
At $2,953/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 5.9% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-5.9% YoY, -4.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Carson, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 29.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
92,871
Median income
$108,703
Median age
41.7
Renters
26%
Age distribution
20.1%
21.2%
26.1%
14%
18.5%
Under 1820.1%
18–3421.2%
35–5426.1%
55–6414%
65+18.5%
Gender
48.9%
51.1%
Male48.9%
Female51.1%
Race & ethnicity
14.1%
21.8%
39.1%
27.2%
White14.1%
Black21.8%
Hispanic39.1%
Asian27.2%
Education (25+)
15.5%
22.3%
32.9%
29.3%
No HS diploma15.5%
HS diploma22.3%
Some college32.9%
Bachelor's+29.3%
Housing tenure
74%
26%
Owner74%
Renter26%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Carson, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,685 → $2,953
up 10.0%
Income
$92,548 → $108,703
up 17.5%
Population
95,104 → 92,871
down 2.3%
Renter share
25.9% → 26%
+0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
29.6% → 29.3%
-0.3 pts
Median age
40.9 → 41.7
+0.8 yrs

Compared with 2022, rent in Carson, CA has increased by $268 per month, settling near $2,953 after starting the period at $2,685. Household income in the area moved from $92,548 to $108,703 across the same window, up 17.5% versus 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 7.5 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 95,104 to 92,871 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.3% change. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Carson, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Carson

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

Can you afford rent in Carson on your salary?

At $2,953/mo, how Carson rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Carson rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Carson

About renting in Carson, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Carson is $2,953/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,810/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,560/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,030/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,250/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($108,703/yr), Carson ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 5.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Carson an affordable city for renters?

Carson is considered moderate for renters. At $2,953/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($108,703/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Carson slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Carson?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $118,000/year (~$57/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,953/mo in Carson. The local median household income is $108,703/yr, meaning the typical Carson household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Carson?

Rent in Carson has decreased 5.9% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Carson rent compare to other cities in California?

Carson is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #160 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,953/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carson?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Carson ($2,953/mo): Gardena ($2,363/mo), Long Beach ($2,364/mo), Compton ($2,500/mo).

What percentage of Carson residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 26% of Carson households are renters, while 74% are owner-occupied. Carson leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Carson rent compare to the national average?

Carson's median rent of $2,953/mo is $988 (50%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #160 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $2,953/mo, rent takes ~33% of Carson's median household income ($108,703/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Carson 33%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Carson affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Carson, CA

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