City Report · CA

Los Banos

Pop. 47,593·286th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Los Banos, CA
Median rent (all units)
$2,362/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.4%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
+$400
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Los Banos · $2,362
More expensive than 75% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
53/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Los Banos's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,362/mo
Expected by trend
$2,395/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Los Banos's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,250
1 BR
$1,430
2 BR
$1,760
3 BR
$2,430
4 BR+
$2,960
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,760/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,362 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$28,344/yr
At $2,362/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (4.4% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.4% YoY, -0.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Los Banos, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 12.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
47,593
Median income
$68,171
Median age
30.3
Renters
40.2%
Age distribution
31%
25.2%
23.3%
Under 1831%
18–3425.2%
35–5423.3%
55–649.5%
65+10.9%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
29.8%
73.4%
White29.8%
Black1.4%
Hispanic73.4%
Asian2.7%
Education (25+)
28.4%
34.3%
24.9%
12.5%
No HS diploma28.4%
HS diploma34.3%
Some college24.9%
Bachelor's+12.5%
Housing tenure
59.8%
40.2%
Owner59.8%
Renter40.2%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Los Banos, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,005 → $2,362
up 17.8%
Income
$69,607 → $68,171
down 2.1%
Population
44,421 → 47,593
up 7.1%
Renter share
44% → 40.2%
-3.8 pts
Bachelor's+
10.9% → 12.5%
+1.6 pts
Median age
29 → 30.3
+1.3 yrs

The median rent in Los Banos, CA stood at $2,005 in 2023 and currently runs about $2,362, reflecting a 17.8% increase over the period. Median household income slipped from $69,607 to $68,171 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.1% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 7.1% since 2021, moving from about 44,421 residents to roughly 47,593. Renters now make up 40.2% of households, compared with 44% five years ago. Taken together, the five-year picture in Los Banos, 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 Los Banos rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Los Banos on your salary?

At $2,362/mo, how Los Banos rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Los Banos rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Los Banos

About renting in Los Banos, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Los Banos is $2,362/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,250/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,760/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,430/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,430/mo.

At 42% of local median household income ($68,171/yr), Los Banos ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Los Banos an affordable city for renters?

Los Banos is considered stretched for renters. At $2,362/mo, rent takes approximately 42% of the local median household income ($68,171/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Los Banos significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Los Banos?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $94,000/year (~$45/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,362/mo in Los Banos. The local median household income is $68,171/yr, meaning the typical Los Banos household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Los Banos?

Rent in Los Banos has increased 4.4% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Los Banos rent compare to other cities in California?

Los Banos is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #286 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,362/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Los Banos?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Los Banos ($2,362/mo): Newman ($1,295/mo), Atwater ($1,615/mo), Ceres ($1,960/mo).

What percentage of Los Banos residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.2% of Los Banos households are renters, while 59.8% are owner-occupied. Los Banos leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Los Banos rent compare to the national average?

Los Banos's median rent of $2,362/mo is $400 (20%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #286 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
42%
STRETCHED

At $2,362/mo, rent takes ~42% of Los Banos's median household income ($68,171/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Los Banos 42%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Los Banos affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Los Banos, CA

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