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City Report · CA

Davis

Pop. 66,978·215th most expensive in California·Davis rents are up 14.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,702/mo
Year-over-Year
+14.8%
Month-over-Month
-0.1%
vs US Median
+$740
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Davis · $2,702
More expensive than 84% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
48/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Davis's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,702/mo
Expected by trend
$2,673/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Davis's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,960
1 BR
$1,975
2 BR
$2,590
3 BR
$3,605
4 BR+
$4,040
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,590/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,702 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
$32,424/yr
At $2,702/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 14.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+14.8% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Davis, CA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 76.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
66,978
Median income
$90,045
Median age
26.4
Renters
56.5%
Age distribution
13.5%
47.3%
17.5%
14%
Under 1813.5%
18–3447.3%
35–5417.5%
55–647.8%
65+14%
Gender
47.8%
52.2%
Male47.8%
Female52.2%
Race & ethnicity
53.7%
15.1%
24.9%
White53.7%
Black2.5%
Hispanic15.1%
Asian24.9%
Other3.8%
Education (25+)
13.5%
76.8%
No HS diploma3%
HS diploma6.7%
Some college13.5%
Bachelor's+76.8%
Housing tenure
43.5%
56.5%
Owner43.5%
Renter56.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Davis, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,936 → $2,702
up 39.6%
Income
$81,231 → $90,045
up 10.9%
Population
67,208 → 66,978
down 0.3%
Renter share
55.7% → 56.5%
+0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
77.1% → 76.8%
-0.3 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Davis, CA has shifted from $1,936 to $2,702, up 39.6% since 2021. Household income in the area moved from $81,231 to $90,045 across the same window, up 10.9% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Davis, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Davis

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

Can you afford rent in Davis on your salary?

At $2,702/mo, how Davis rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Davis rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Davis

About renting in Davis, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Davis is $2,702/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,960/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,590/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,975/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,605/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($90,045/yr), Davis ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 14.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Davis an affordable city for renters?

Davis is considered moderate for renters. At $2,702/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($90,045/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Davis slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Davis?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $108,000/year (~$52/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,702/mo in Davis. The local median household income is $90,045/yr, meaning the typical Davis household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Davis?

Rent in Davis has increased 14.8% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Davis neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Davis are 95616 ($2,666/mo), and 95618 ($2,717/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Davis is $2,702/mo.

How does Davis rent compare to other cities in California?

Davis is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #215 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,702/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Davis?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Davis ($2,702/mo): Sacramento ($2,064/mo), West Sacramento ($2,253/mo), Woodland ($2,462/mo).

What percentage of Davis residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 56.5% of Davis households are renters, while 43.5% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Davis has a strong rental market.

How does Davis rent compare to the national average?

Davis's median rent of $2,702/mo is $740 (38%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #215 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $2,702/mo, rent takes ~36% of Davis's median household income ($90,045/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Davis 36%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Davis affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Davis
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Davis, CA

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