1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in East Palo Alto, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in East Palo Alto, California as of July 2026. That's +29% lower than the citywide median of $3,608 and +83% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in East Palo Alto
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 East Palo Alto
Compare East Palo Alto'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? 2 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than East Palo Alto.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs East Palo Alto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto, CA | 2.6 mi | $3,305 | +$755 (+30%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 4.2 mi | $3,130 | +$580 (+23%) |
| Mountain View, CA | 5.1 mi | $3,303 | +$753 (+30%) |
| Newark, CA | 6.5 mi | $2,270 | $-280 (-11%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 7.2 mi | $3,530 | +$980 (+38%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 8.1 mi | $3,133 | +$583 (+23%) |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 8.3 mi | $3,438 | +$888 (+35%) |
| Fremont, CA | 10.3 mi | $2,760 | +$210 (+8%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 10.7 mi | $3,880 | +$1,330 (+52%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 11.2 mi | $2,970 | +$420 (+16%) |
| Union City, CA | 12 mi | $2,350 | $-200 (-8%) |
| Santa Clara, CA | 12.1 mi | $3,160 | +$610 (+24%) |
1-Bedroom rent in East Palo Alto — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in East Palo Alto?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in East Palo Alto, California is $2,550 per month. This is +29% below the citywide median of $3,608.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in East Palo Alto?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $102,000 ($8,500/month gross), which works out to roughly $49.04/hour at a full-time job.
Is East Palo Alto expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
East Palo Alto's 1-bedroom median of $2,550 is +83% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does East Palo Alto rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, East Palo Alto ranks #281 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near East Palo Alto?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Newark ($2,270), Union City ($2,350).