2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Downey, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Downey, California as of July 2026. That's +11% higher than the citywide median of $2,312 and +55% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,107 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,216 |
| 5 | California City | $1,230 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $4,865 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 3 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 4 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Downey.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Downey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellflower, CA | 3.6 mi | $2,380 | $-193 (-8%) |
| Paramount, CA | 3.8 mi | $2,300 | $-273 (-11%) |
| Norwalk, CA | 3.9 mi | $2,450 | $-123 (-5%) |
| Pico Rivera, CA | 4.4 mi | $2,500 | $-73 (-3%) |
| South Gate, CA | 4.4 mi | $2,290 | $-283 (-11%) |
| Lynwood, CA | 5 mi | $2,290 | $-283 (-11%) |
| Montebello, CA | 5.4 mi | $2,340 | $-233 (-9%) |
| Compton, CA | 6.5 mi | $2,290 | $-283 (-11%) |
| Lakewood, CA | 6.5 mi | $3,267 | +$694 (+27%) |
| Huntington Park, CA | 6.7 mi | $2,290 | $-283 (-11%) |
| East Los Angeles, CA | 7.2 mi | $2,290 | $-283 (-11%) |
| Whittier, CA | 7.4 mi | $2,624 | +$51 (+2%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Downey — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Downey?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Downey, California is $2,573 per month. This is +11% higher than the citywide median of $2,312.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Downey?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $102,920 ($8,577/month gross), which works out to roughly $49.48/hour at a full-time job.
Is Downey expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Downey's 2-bedroom median of $2,573 is +55% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 87th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Downey rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Downey ranks #161 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Downey?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Bellflower ($2,380), Paramount ($2,300), Norwalk ($2,450).