2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Menlo Park, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Menlo Park, California as of October 2026. That's +13% lower than the citywide median of $4,277 and +126% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $1,171 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | California City | $1,230 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,370 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 2 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 3 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 4 | Montecito | $4,540 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Menlo Park.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Menlo Park |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto, CA | 3.1 mi | $3,830 | +$90 (+2%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 4.2 mi | $3,030 | $-710 (-19%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 4.4 mi | $3,737 | $-3 (0%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 7.1 mi | $3,550 | $-190 (-5%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 7.2 mi | $4,170 | +$430 (+11%) |
| Mountain View, CA | 8.1 mi | $3,823 | +$83 (+2%) |
| Foster City, CA | 9.3 mi | $4,560 | +$820 (+22%) |
| Belmont, CA | 9.3 mi | $3,690 | $-50 (-1%) |
| Newark, CA | 10.4 mi | $2,760 | $-980 (-26%) |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 11.8 mi | $3,980 | +$240 (+6%) |
| San Mateo, CA | 11.8 mi | $3,700 | $-40 (-1%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 12.3 mi | $4,500 | +$760 (+20%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Menlo Park — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Menlo Park?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Menlo Park, California is $3,740 per month. This is +13% below the citywide median of $4,277.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Menlo Park?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $149,600 ($12,467/month gross), which works out to roughly $71.92/hour at a full-time job.
Is Menlo Park expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Menlo Park's 2-bedroom median of $3,740 is +126% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Menlo Park rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Menlo Park ranks #351 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Menlo Park?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include East Palo Alto ($3,030), Redwood City ($3,737), San Carlos ($3,550).