2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in El Monte, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in El Monte, California as of October 2026. That's +7% lower than the citywide median of $2,451 and +38% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-bedroom in El Monte
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 El Monte
Compare El Monte's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $1,171 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | California City | $1,230 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,370 |
| 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 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 2 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 3 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 4 | Montecito | $4,540 |
| 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
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 2-bedroom rents than El Monte.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs El Monte |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arcadia, CA | 3.9 mi | $2,785 | +$495 (+22%) |
| Rosemead, CA | 3.9 mi | $2,290 | — |
| Baldwin Park, CA | 4.5 mi | $2,290 | — |
| San Gabriel, CA | 4.7 mi | $2,620 | +$330 (+14%) |
| Hacienda Heights, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,600 | +$310 (+14%) |
| Sierra Madre, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,850 | +$560 (+24%) |
| Duarte, CA | 6.7 mi | $2,870 | +$580 (+25%) |
| Montebello, CA | 7 mi | $2,340 | +$50 (+2%) |
| La Puente, CA | 7.1 mi | $2,330 | +$40 (+2%) |
| Monterey Park, CA | 7.1 mi | $2,310 | +$20 (+1%) |
| Whittier, CA | 7.3 mi | $2,624 | +$334 (+15%) |
| Pico Rivera, CA | 7.3 mi | $2,500 | +$210 (+9%) |
2-Bedroom rent in El Monte — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in El Monte?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in El Monte, California is $2,290 per month. This is +7% below the citywide median of $2,451.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in El Monte?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $91,600 ($7,633/month gross), which works out to roughly $44.04/hour at a full-time job.
Is El Monte expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
El Monte's 2-bedroom median of $2,290 is +38% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 79th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does El Monte rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, El Monte ranks #93 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near El Monte?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 2-bedroom rents than El Monte.