2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in National City, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in National City, California as of October 2026. That's +11% lower than the citywide median of $2,426 and +30% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 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
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 2-bedroom rents than National City.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs National City |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | 5.5 mi | $3,174 | +$1,024 (+48%) |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 6 mi | $2,360 | +$210 (+10%) |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 6.9 mi | $2,570 | +$420 (+20%) |
| Chula Vista, CA | 7.2 mi | $3,526 | +$1,376 (+64%) |
| Spring Valley, CA | 7.9 mi | $2,360 | +$210 (+10%) |
| Coronado, CA | 8.2 mi | $4,280 | +$2,130 (+99%) |
| La Mesa, CA | 9 mi | $2,685 | +$535 (+25%) |
| Santee, CA | 14.5 mi | $2,700 | +$550 (+26%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 15.9 mi | $2,580 | +$430 (+20%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 21.6 mi | $2,500 | +$350 (+16%) |
| Poway, CA | 22.2 mi | $2,890 | +$740 (+34%) |
| Del Mar, CA | 23.1 mi | $3,501 | +$1,351 (+63%) |
2-Bedroom rent in National City — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in National City?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in National City, California is $2,150 per month. This is +11% below the citywide median of $2,426.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in National City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $86,000 ($7,167/month gross), which works out to roughly $41.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is National City expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
National City's 2-bedroom median of $2,150 is +30% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 75th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does National City rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, National City ranks #75 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near National City?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 2-bedroom rents than National City.