How much does it cost to rent in Chula Vista, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Chula Vista, CA is $3,008. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Chula Vista cheaper than other California cities?

Chula Vista falls in the middle range for California, ranking #151 out of 387 cities at $3,008/mo.

When was Chula Vista rent data last updated?

Chula Vista rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Chula Vista

Name: Average Rent Prices in Chula Vista, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 276,375·151st most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$3,008/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.4%

Month-over-Month

-1.7%

vs US Median

+$1,043

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Chula Vista · $3,008

More expensive than 91% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

69/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent

$3,008/mo

Expected by trend

$3,325/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Chula Vista's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,626

1 BR

$2,850

2 BR

$3,526

3 BR

$4,714

4 BR+

$5,738

Research median

$3,526/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

$36,096/yr

At $3,008/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.4% YoY, -1.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Chula Vista, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 33.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

276,375

Median income

$108,032

Median age

37.1

Renters

40.2%

Age distribution

24.5%

22.6%

28.1%

13.4%

Under 1824.5%

18–3422.6%

35–5428.1%

55–6411.4%

65+13.4%

Gender

49.2%

50.8%

Male49.2%

Female50.8%

Race & ethnicity

25.7%

61.1%

14.6%

White25.7%

Black5.2%

Hispanic61.1%

Asian14.6%

Education (25+)

13.8%

21.5%

31.5%

33.2%

No HS diploma13.8%

HS diploma21.5%

Some college31.5%

Bachelor's+33.2%

Housing tenure

59.8%

40.2%

Owner59.8%

Renter40.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Chula Vista, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,228 → $3,008

up 35.0%

Income

$92,913 → $108,032

up 16.3%

Population

274,818 → 276,375

up 0.6%

Renter share

40.5% → 40.2%

-0.3 pts

Bachelor's+

30.3% → 33.2%

+2.9 pts

Median age

36.3 → 37.1

+0.8 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Chula Vista, CA has climbed from $2,228 to $3,008, a 35.0% change over five years. Median household income rose from $92,913 to $108,032 between 2021 and 2024, a 16.3% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 33.2% of adults here, versus 30.3% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Chula Vista, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Chula Vista

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View Chula Vista rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Chula Vista on your salary?

At $3,008/mo, how Chula Vista rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 32.4% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 45.6% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 39.6% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 22.1% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 17.3% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 48.7% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 53.9% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 43.8% income

rent-burdened

By apartment size

Chula Vista rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Chula Vista

About renting in Chula Vista, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Chula Vista is $3,008/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,626/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,526/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,850/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,714/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($108,032/yr), Chula Vista ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Chula Vista an affordable city for renters?

Chula Vista is considered moderate for renters. At $3,008/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($108,032/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Chula Vista slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Chula Vista?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $120,000/year (~$58/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,008/mo in Chula Vista. The local median household income is $108,032/yr, meaning the typical Chula Vista household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Chula Vista?

Rent in Chula Vista has increased 3.4% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Chula Vista neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Chula Vista are 91910 ($2,585/mo), 91911 ($2,775/mo), and 91913 ($3,230/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Chula Vista is $3,008/mo.

How does Chula Vista rent compare to other cities in California?

Chula Vista is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #151 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,008/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Chula Vista?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Chula Vista ($3,008/mo): Spring Valley ($2,435/mo), National City ($2,472/mo), Lemon Grove ($2,618/mo).

What percentage of Chula Vista residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.2% of Chula Vista households are renters, while 59.8% are owner-occupied. Chula Vista leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Chula Vista rent compare to the national average?

Chula Vista's median rent of $3,008/mo is $1,043 (53%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #151 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

33%

MODERATE

At $3,008/mo, rent takes ~33% of Chula Vista's median household income ($108,032/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Chula Vista 33%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Chula Vista affordability calculator →

Nearby cities