1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Downey, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Downey, California as of July 2026. That's +12% lower than the citywide median of $2,312 and +46% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Downey
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 Downey
Compare Downey'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 Downey.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Downey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellflower, CA | 3.6 mi | $1,890 | $-150 (-7%) |
| Paramount, CA | 3.8 mi | $1,820 | $-220 (-11%) |
| Norwalk, CA | 3.9 mi | $1,940 | $-100 (-5%) |
| Pico Rivera, CA | 4.4 mi | $1,980 | $-60 (-3%) |
| South Gate, CA | 4.4 mi | $1,810 | $-230 (-11%) |
| Lynwood, CA | 5 mi | $1,810 | $-230 (-11%) |
| Montebello, CA | 5.4 mi | $1,860 | $-180 (-9%) |
| Compton, CA | 6.5 mi | $1,810 | $-230 (-11%) |
| Lakewood, CA | 6.5 mi | $2,590 | +$550 (+27%) |
| Huntington Park, CA | 6.7 mi | $1,810 | $-230 (-11%) |
| East Los Angeles, CA | 7.2 mi | $1,810 | $-230 (-11%) |
| Whittier, CA | 7.4 mi | $2,080 | +$40 (+2%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Downey — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Downey?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Downey, California is $2,040 per month. This is +12% below the citywide median of $2,312.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Downey?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $81,600 ($6,800/month gross), which works out to roughly $39.23/hour at a full-time job.
Is Downey expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Downey's 1-bedroom median of $2,040 is +46% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 83th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Downey rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Downey ranks #156 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Downey?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Bellflower ($1,890), Paramount ($1,820), Norwalk ($1,940).