1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Los Altos, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Los Altos, California as of August 2026. That's +55% lower than the citywide median of $7,837 and +153% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Los Altos
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 Los Altos
Compare Los Altos's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $914 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $969 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 13 | Porterville | $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 (this page) | $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 Los Altos.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Los Altos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto, CA | 5 mi | $3,305 | $-225 (-6%) |
| Mountain View, CA | 5.3 mi | $3,303 | $-227 (-6%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 5.6 mi | $3,880 | +$350 (+10%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 7.2 mi | $2,550 | $-980 (-28%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 7.2 mi | $3,130 | $-400 (-11%) |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 8.5 mi | $3,438 | $-92 (-3%) |
| Saratoga, CA | 9.5 mi | $3,270 | $-260 (-7%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 11.1 mi | $3,133 | $-397 (-11%) |
| Santa Clara, CA | 12.2 mi | $3,160 | $-370 (-10%) |
| Newark, CA | 12.7 mi | $2,270 | $-1,260 (-36%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 13 mi | $2,970 | $-560 (-16%) |
| Campbell, CA | 14.1 mi | $2,900 | $-630 (-18%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Los Altos — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Los Altos?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Los Altos, California is $3,530 per month. This is +55% below the citywide median of $7,837.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Los Altos?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $141,200 ($11,767/month gross), which works out to roughly $67.88/hour at a full-time job.
Is Los Altos expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Los Altos's 1-bedroom median of $3,530 is +153% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 100th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Los Altos rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 379 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Los Altos ranks #373 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Los Altos?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Palo Alto ($3,305), Mountain View ($3,303), East Palo Alto ($2,550).