1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chula Vista, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Chula Vista, California as of July 2026. That's +5% lower than the citywide median of $3,008 and +104% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Chula Vista
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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Chula Vista
Compare Chula Vista's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Chula Vista.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Chula Vista |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonita, CA | 2.7 mi | $2,450 | $-400 (-14%) |
| Spring Valley, CA | 6.5 mi | $1,910 | $-940 (-33%) |
| National City, CA | 7.2 mi | $1,740 | $-1,110 (-39%) |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 7.4 mi | $1,910 | $-940 (-33%) |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 9.4 mi | $2,080 | $-770 (-27%) |
| La Mesa, CA | 9.4 mi | $2,170 | $-680 (-24%) |
| San Diego, CA | 12.6 mi | $2,565 | $-285 (-10%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 13.4 mi | $2,087 | $-763 (-27%) |
| Santee, CA | 15.2 mi | $2,180 | $-670 (-24%) |
| Coronado, CA | 15.3 mi | $3,460 | +$610 (+21%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 20.4 mi | $2,020 | $-830 (-29%) |
| Alpine, CA | 23.3 mi | $2,210 | $-640 (-22%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Chula Vista — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Chula Vista?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Chula Vista, California is $2,850 per month. This is +5% below the citywide median of $3,008.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Chula Vista?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $114,000 ($9,500/month gross), which works out to roughly $54.81/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chula Vista expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chula Vista's 1-bedroom median of $2,850 is +104% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chula Vista rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Chula Vista ranks #323 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Chula Vista?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Bonita ($2,450), Spring Valley ($1,910), National City ($1,740).