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City Report · CA

Hawthorne

Pop. 85,191·323rd most expensive in California·Hawthorne rents are up 9.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,138/mo
Year-over-Year
+9.0%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
+$173
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Hawthorne · $2,138
More expensive than 66% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
58/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Hawthorne's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,138/mo
Expected by trend
$2,225/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Hawthorne's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,650
1 BR
$1,860
2 BR
$2,340
3 BR
$2,970
4 BR+
$3,300
Research median
$2,340/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$25,656/yr
At $2,138/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 9.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+9.0% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Hawthorne, CA is majority renter-occupied, 26% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
85,191
Median income
$75,848
Median age
33.9
Renters
72.8%
Age distribution
24.7%
27.4%
27.4%
Under 1824.7%
18–3427.4%
35–5427.4%
55–6410.3%
65+10.2%
Gender
48.7%
51.3%
Male48.7%
Female51.3%
Race & ethnicity
14.8%
25%
54.7%
White14.8%
Black25%
Hispanic54.7%
Asian7.5%
Education (25+)
20.6%
25.4%
27.9%
26%
No HS diploma20.6%
HS diploma25.4%
Some college27.9%
Bachelor's+26%
Housing tenure
27.2%
72.8%
Owner27.2%
Renter72.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Hawthorne, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,624 → $2,138
up 31.7%
Income
$63,847 → $75,848
up 18.8%
Population
87,863 → 85,191
down 3.0%
Renter share
72.4% → 72.8%
+0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
24% → 26%
+2.0 pts
Median age
33 → 33.9
+0.9 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Hawthorne, CA has climbed by $514 per month, settling near $2,138 after starting the period at $1,624. Median household income grew from $63,847 to $75,848 between 2021 and 2024, a 18.8% shift. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 12.9 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 87,863 to 85,191 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.0% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 24% to 26%. Taken together, the five-year picture in Hawthorne, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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View Hawthorne rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Hawthorne on your salary?

At $2,138/mo, how Hawthorne rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Hawthorne rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Hawthorne

About renting in Hawthorne, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Hawthorne is $2,138/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,650/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,340/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,860/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,970/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($75,848/yr), Hawthorne ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Hawthorne an affordable city for renters?

Hawthorne is considered moderate for renters. At $2,138/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($75,848/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Hawthorne slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Hawthorne?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $86,000/year (~$41/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,138/mo in Hawthorne. The local median household income is $75,848/yr, meaning the typical Hawthorne household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Hawthorne?

Rent in Hawthorne has increased 9.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Hawthorne rent compare to other cities in California?

Hawthorne is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #323 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,138/mo.

What percentage of Hawthorne residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 72.8% of Hawthorne households are renters, while 27.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Hawthorne has a strong rental market.

How does Hawthorne rent compare to the national average?

Hawthorne's median rent of $2,138/mo is $173 (9%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #323 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $2,138/mo, rent takes ~34% of Hawthorne's median household income ($75,848/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Hawthorne 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Hawthorne affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Hawthorne
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Hawthorne, CA

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