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City Report · CA

Larkspur

Pop. 12,854·42nd most expensive in California·Larkspur rents are up 23.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$4,077/mo
Year-over-Year
+23.1%
Month-over-Month
+5.2%
vs US Median
+$2,112
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Larkspur · $4,077
More expensive than 98% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
35% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $4,077/mo, rent takes about 35% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$163,000/yr
Local median income
$140,417/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Larkspur's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,550
1 BR
$3,120
2 BR
$3,720
3 BR
$4,640
4 BR+
$4,930
Research median
$3,720/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
$48,924/yr
At $4,077/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 23.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+23.1% YoY, +5.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
12,854
Median income
$140,417
Median age
51.2
Renters
53.5%
Age distribution
16.6%
15%
24.4%
18.5%
25.4%
Under 1816.6%
18–3415%
35–5424.4%
55–6418.5%
65+25.4%
Gender
46.8%
53.2%
Male46.8%
Female53.2%
Race & ethnicity
74%
White74%
Black0.7%
Hispanic8.8%
Asian6.7%
Other9.8%
Education (25+)
21.6%
67.9%
No HS diploma2.8%
HS diploma7.7%
Some college21.6%
Bachelor's+67.9%
Housing tenure
46.5%
53.5%
Owner46.5%
Renter53.5%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Larkspur, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$3,339 → $4,077
up 22.1%
Income
$135,260 → $140,417
up 3.8%
Population
12,972 → 12,854
down 0.9%
Renter share
53.5% → 53.5%
+0.0 pts
Bachelor's+
71.4% → 67.9%
-3.5 pts
Median age
50 → 51.2
+1.2 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Larkspur, CA paid around $3,339 a month. That figure now sits near $4,077, up 22.1% 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.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Larkspur on your salary?

At $4,077/mo, how Larkspur rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Larkspur rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Larkspur

About renting in Larkspur, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Larkspur is $4,077/mo as of July 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 35% of local median household income ($140,417/yr), Larkspur ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 23.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Larkspur an affordable city for renters?

Larkspur is considered moderate for renters. At $4,077/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($140,417/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Larkspur slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Larkspur?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $163,000/year (~$78/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $4,077/mo in Larkspur. The local median household income is $140,417/yr, meaning the typical Larkspur household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Larkspur?

Rent in Larkspur has increased 23.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Larkspur rent compare to other cities in California?

Larkspur is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #42 out of 387 tracked cities at $4,077/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Larkspur?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Larkspur ($4,077/mo): San Rafael ($2,992/mo), San Anselmo ($3,657/mo).

What percentage of Larkspur residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 53.5% of Larkspur households are renters, while 46.5% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Larkspur has a strong rental market.

How does Larkspur rent compare to the national average?

Larkspur's median rent of $4,077/mo is $2,112 (107%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #42 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
35%
MODERATE

At $4,077/mo, rent takes ~35% of Larkspur's median household income ($140,417/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Larkspur 35%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Larkspur affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Larkspur
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Larkspur, CA

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