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City Report · CA

Clearlake

Pop. 16,659·376th most expensive in California·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,400/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-9.7%
vs US Median
-$562
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Clearlake · $1,400
More affordable than 82% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
40% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,400/mo, rent takes about 40% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$56,000/yr
Local median income
$41,867/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Clearlake's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$950
1 BR
$950
2 BR
$1,250
3 BR
$1,750
4 BR+
$2,100
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,250/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,400 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$16,800/yr
At $1,400/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -9.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Clearlake, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 7.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
16,659
Median income
$41,867
Median age
38.8
Renters
40.5%
Age distribution
25.5%
21.3%
25%
17.1%
Under 1825.5%
18–3421.3%
35–5425%
55–6411.1%
65+17.1%
Gender
48.4%
51.6%
Male48.4%
Female51.6%
Race & ethnicity
57.3%
33.9%
White57.3%
Black4%
Hispanic33.9%
Asian1.3%
Other3.6%
Education (25+)
20%
32.8%
39.3%
No HS diploma20%
HS diploma32.8%
Some college39.3%
Bachelor's+7.9%
Housing tenure
59.5%
40.5%
Owner59.5%
Renter40.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Clearlake, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$37,783 → $41,867
up 10.8%
Population
16,468 → 16,659
up 1.2%
Renter share
43.3% → 40.5%
-2.8 pts
Bachelor's+
7.5% → 7.9%
+0.4 pts

Household income in the area moved from $37,783 to $41,867 across the same window, up 10.8% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 16,468 to 16,659 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.2% change. About 40.5% of households rent today, against 43.3% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Clearlake on your salary?

At $1,400/mo, how Clearlake rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Clearlake rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Clearlake

About renting in Clearlake, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Clearlake is $1,400/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $950/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,250/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $950/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,750/mo.

At 40% of local median household income ($41,867/yr), Clearlake ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Clearlake an affordable city for renters?

Clearlake is considered moderate for renters. At $1,400/mo, rent takes approximately 40% of the local median household income ($41,867/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Clearlake slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Clearlake?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,400/mo in Clearlake. The local median household income is $41,867/yr, meaning the typical Clearlake household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Clearlake?

Rent in Clearlake has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Clearlake rent compare to other cities in California?

Clearlake is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #376 out of 381 tracked cities at $1,400/mo.

What percentage of Clearlake residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.5% of Clearlake households are renters, while 59.5% are owner-occupied. Clearlake leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Clearlake rent compare to the national average?

Clearlake's median rent of $1,400/mo is $562 (29%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #376 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
40%
MODERATE

At $1,400/mo, rent takes ~40% of Clearlake's median household income ($41,867/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Clearlake 40%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Clearlake affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Clearlake, CA

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