How much does it cost to rent in Gardena, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Gardena, CA is $2,363. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Gardena cheaper than other California cities?

Gardena is among the more affordable cities in California, ranking #293 out of 387 cities at $2,363/mo.

When was Gardena rent data last updated?

Gardena rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Gardena

Name: Average Rent Prices in Gardena, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 59,422·293rd most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Gardena, CA

Median rent (all units)

$2,363/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.9%

Month-over-Month

+0.4%

vs US Median

+$398

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Gardena · $2,363

More expensive than 75% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

63/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Gardena's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,363/mo

Expected by trend

$2,529/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Gardena's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,615

1 BR

$1,820

2 BR

$2,300

3 BR

$2,940

4 BR+

$3,245

Research median

$2,300/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$28,356/yr

At $2,363/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (1.9% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.9% YoY, +0.4% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Gardena, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, 28.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

59,422

Median income

$84,803

Median age

39.6

Renters

51.2%

Age distribution

20.6%

23.2%

25.8%

13.4%

16.9%

Under 1820.6%

18–3423.2%

35–5425.8%

55–6413.4%

65+16.9%

Gender

47.1%

52.9%

Male47.1%

Female52.9%

Race & ethnicity

17.8%

44.4%

26.1%

White11.7%

Black17.8%

Hispanic44.4%

Asian26.1%

Education (25+)

18.4%

22.5%

30.2%

28.9%

No HS diploma18.4%

HS diploma22.5%

Some college30.2%

Bachelor's+28.9%

Housing tenure

48.8%

51.2%

Owner48.8%

Renter51.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Gardena, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,802 → $2,363

up 31.1%

Income

$68,413 → $84,803

up 24.0%

Population

60,917 → 59,422

down 2.5%

Renter share

51.7% → 51.2%

-0.5 pts

Bachelor's+

25.8% → 28.9%

+3.1 pts

Five years ago, renters in Gardena, CA paid around $1,802 a month. That figure now sits near $2,363, up 31.1% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $84,803 today, compared with $68,413 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Gardena, CA losing about 1,495 residents over the five-year window, down 2.5% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 25.8% to 28.9% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Gardena

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View Gardena rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Gardena on your salary?

At $2,363/mo, how Gardena rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 25.4% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 35.8% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 31.1% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 17.4% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 13.6% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 38.3% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 42.4% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 34.4% income

stretched

By apartment size

Gardena rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Gardena

About renting in Gardena, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Gardena is $2,363/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,615/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,300/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,820/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,940/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($84,803/yr), Gardena ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Gardena an affordable city for renters?

Gardena is considered moderate for renters. At $2,363/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($84,803/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Gardena slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Gardena?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $95,000/year (~$46/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,363/mo in Gardena. The local median household income is $84,803/yr, meaning the typical Gardena household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Gardena?

Rent in Gardena has increased 1.9% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Gardena neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Gardena are 90247 ($2,312/mo), and 90249 ($2,319/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Gardena is $2,363/mo.

How does Gardena rent compare to other cities in California?

Gardena is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #293 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,363/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Gardena?

Hawthorne is nearby and more affordable at $2,138/mo, which is $225 less than Gardena.

What percentage of Gardena residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 51.2% of Gardena households are renters, while 48.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Gardena has a strong rental market.

How does Gardena rent compare to the national average?

Gardena's median rent of $2,363/mo is $398 (20%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #293 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

33%

MODERATE

At $2,363/mo, rent takes ~33% of Gardena's median household income ($84,803/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Gardena 33%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Gardena affordability calculator →

Nearby cities