1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Menlo Park, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Menlo Park, California as of October 2026. That's +27% lower than the citywide median of $4,277 and +124% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Menlo Park
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 Menlo Park
Compare Menlo Park'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 | $938 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 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 | Montecito | $4,030 |
| 2 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 3 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 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 Menlo Park.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Menlo Park |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto, CA | 3.1 mi | $3,305 | +$175 (+6%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 4.2 mi | $2,550 | $-580 (-19%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 4.4 mi | $3,133 | +$3 (0%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 7.1 mi | $2,970 | $-160 (-5%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 7.2 mi | $3,530 | +$400 (+13%) |
| Mountain View, CA | 8.1 mi | $3,303 | +$173 (+6%) |
| Foster City, CA | 9.3 mi | $3,820 | +$690 (+22%) |
| Belmont, CA | 9.3 mi | $3,090 | $-40 (-1%) |
| Newark, CA | 10.4 mi | $2,270 | $-860 (-27%) |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 11.8 mi | $3,438 | +$308 (+10%) |
| San Mateo, CA | 11.8 mi | $3,100 | $-30 (-1%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 12.3 mi | $3,880 | +$750 (+24%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Menlo Park — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Menlo Park?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Menlo Park, California is $3,130 per month. This is +27% below the citywide median of $4,277.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Menlo Park?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $125,200 ($10,433/month gross), which works out to roughly $60.19/hour at a full-time job.
Is Menlo Park expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Menlo Park's 1-bedroom median of $3,130 is +124% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Menlo Park rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Menlo Park ranks #358 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Menlo Park?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include East Palo Alto ($2,550), San Carlos ($2,970), Belmont ($3,090).