1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in National City, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in National City, California as of July 2026. That's +30% lower than the citywide median of $2,472 and +25% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in National City
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 National City
Compare National City's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 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 | 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 | $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
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 1-bedroom rents than National City.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs National City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonita, CA | 5.3 mi | $2,450 | +$710 (+41%) |
| San Diego, CA | 5.5 mi | $2,565 | +$825 (+47%) |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 6 mi | $1,910 | +$170 (+10%) |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 6.9 mi | $2,080 | +$340 (+20%) |
| Chula Vista, CA | 7.2 mi | $2,850 | +$1,110 (+64%) |
| Spring Valley, CA | 7.9 mi | $1,910 | +$170 (+10%) |
| Coronado, CA | 8.2 mi | $3,460 | +$1,720 (+99%) |
| La Mesa, CA | 9 mi | $2,170 | +$430 (+25%) |
| Santee, CA | 14.5 mi | $2,180 | +$440 (+25%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 15.9 mi | $2,087 | +$347 (+20%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 21.6 mi | $2,020 | +$280 (+16%) |
| Poway, CA | 22.2 mi | $2,340 | +$600 (+34%) |
1-Bedroom rent in National City — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in National City?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in National City, California is $1,740 per month. This is +30% below the citywide median of $2,472.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in National City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $69,600 ($5,800/month gross), which works out to roughly $33.46/hour at a full-time job.
Is National City expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
National City's 1-bedroom median of $1,740 is +25% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 71th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does National City rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, National City ranks #80 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near National City?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 1-bedroom rents than National City.