1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Lafayette, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Lafayette, California as of July 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $3,974 and +106% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Lafayette
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 Lafayette
Compare Lafayette'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? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Lafayette.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Lafayette |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moraga, CA | 3.9 mi | $2,590 | $-290 (-10%) |
| Pleasant Hill, CA | 4.7 mi | $2,400 | $-480 (-17%) |
| Orinda, CA | 5 mi | $2,410 | $-470 (-16%) |
| Walnut Creek, CA | 5.4 mi | $2,667 | $-213 (-7%) |
| Martinez, CA | 6.9 mi | $1,990 | $-890 (-31%) |
| Concord, CA | 9 mi | $2,153 | $-727 (-25%) |
| Oakland, CA | 10.4 mi | $2,062 | $-818 (-28%) |
| Berkeley, CA | 10.9 mi | $2,178 | $-702 (-24%) |
| Albany, CA | 12.5 mi | $2,200 | $-680 (-24%) |
| Danville, CA | 12.6 mi | $2,865 | $-15 (-1%) |
| Hercules, CA | 12.8 mi | $2,830 | $-50 (-2%) |
| Castro Valley, CA | 12.8 mi | $2,100 | $-780 (-27%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Lafayette — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Lafayette?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Lafayette, California is $2,880 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $3,974.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Lafayette?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $115,200 ($9,600/month gross), which works out to roughly $55.38/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lafayette expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Lafayette's 1-bedroom median of $2,880 is +106% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lafayette rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Lafayette ranks #328 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Lafayette?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Moraga ($2,590), Pleasant Hill ($2,400), Orinda ($2,410).