City Report · CA

Napa

Pop. 78,239·182nd most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,808/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.5%
Month-over-Month
+1.0%
vs US Median
+$846
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Napa · $2,808
More expensive than 87% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
66/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Napa's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,808/mo
Expected by trend
$3,060/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Napa's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,845
1 BR
$2,050
2 BR
$2,690
3 BR
$3,505
4 BR+
$3,995
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,690/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,808 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
$33,696/yr
At $2,808/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (1.5% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.5% YoY, +1.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Napa, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 38.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
78,239
Median income
$105,963
Median age
41.5
Renters
41.3%
Age distribution
20%
21%
27%
13%
18.9%
Under 1820%
18–3421%
35–5427%
55–6413%
65+18.9%
Gender
49.6%
50.4%
Male49.6%
Female50.4%
Race & ethnicity
58.2%
41.2%
White58.2%
Black1.3%
Hispanic41.2%
Asian3%
Education (25+)
15.8%
17.1%
28.8%
38.2%
No HS diploma15.8%
HS diploma17.1%
Some college28.8%
Bachelor's+38.2%
Housing tenure
58.7%
41.3%
Owner58.7%
Renter41.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Napa, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,300 → $2,808
up 22.1%
Income
$92,700 → $105,963
up 14.3%
Population
79,700 → 78,239
down 1.8%
Renter share
40.1% → 41.3%
+1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
35.2% → 38.2%
+3.0 pts
Median age
39.9 → 41.5
+1.6 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Napa, CA has increased from $2,300 to $2,808, a 22.1% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $92,700 in 2021 to $105,963 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.8% since 2021, moving from about 79,700 residents to roughly 78,239. College-educated residents now make up 38.2% of adults here, versus 35.2% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Napa, CA market of 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Napa on your salary?

At $2,808/mo, how Napa rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Napa rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Napa

About renting in Napa, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Napa is $2,808/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,845/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,690/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,050/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,505/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($105,963/yr), Napa ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Napa an affordable city for renters?

Napa is considered moderate for renters. At $2,808/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($105,963/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Napa slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Napa?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $112,000/year (~$54/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,808/mo in Napa. The local median household income is $105,963/yr, meaning the typical Napa household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Napa?

Rent in Napa has increased 1.5% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Napa neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Napa are 94559 ($2,819/mo), and 94558 ($2,840/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Napa is $2,808/mo.

How does Napa rent compare to other cities in California?

Napa is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #182 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,808/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Napa?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Napa ($2,808/mo): Vallejo ($2,184/mo), Fairfield ($2,403/mo), Benicia ($2,471/mo).

What percentage of Napa residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 41.3% of Napa households are renters, while 58.7% are owner-occupied. Napa leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Napa rent compare to the national average?

Napa's median rent of $2,808/mo is $846 (43%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #182 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $2,808/mo, rent takes ~32% of Napa's median household income ($105,963/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Napa 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Napa affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Napa
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Napa, CA

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