Rents are 19% above what Larkspur's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $4,469 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Larkspur is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2023.
Rent in Larkspur changed +24.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent has risen 12 months in a row, and rose in 12 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($140,417) is $3,510 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($3,120); a 2-bedroom is $3,720.
San Rafael, 4 miles away, rents for 29% less ($3,166/mo), about $15,600 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Larkspur. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Larkspur, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 67.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Larkspur, CA has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Larkspur, CA paid around $3,372 a month. That figure now sits near $4,469, up 32.5% from the 2023 baseline. Household income in the area moved from $135,260 to $140,417 across the same window, up 3.8% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 71.4% to 67.9% across the same window. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Larkspur, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
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Can you afford rent in Larkspur on your salary?
At $4,469/mo, how Larkspur rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Larkspur rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Larkspur. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Larkspur
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Larkspur is $4,469/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,550/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,720/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,120/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,640/mo.
At 38% of local median household income ($140,417/yr), Larkspur ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 24.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Larkspur?
Is rent going up or down in Larkspur?
How does Larkspur rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Larkspur?
At $4,469/mo, rent takes ~38% of Larkspur's median household income ($140,417/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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