1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Novato, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Novato, California as of July 2026. That's +33% lower than the citywide median of $3,857 and +84% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Novato
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 Novato
Compare Novato'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
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Novato.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Novato |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Rafael, CA | 7.3 mi | $2,855 | +$288 (+11%) |
| San Anselmo, CA | 7.5 mi | $2,710 | +$143 (+6%) |
| Petaluma, CA | 11.5 mi | $2,555 | $-12 (0%) |
| Larkspur, CA | 11.5 mi | $3,120 | +$553 (+22%) |
| Fairfax, CA | 11.7 mi | $2,540 | $-27 (-1%) |
| Sonoma, CA | 11.9 mi | $2,050 | $-517 (-20%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 12.2 mi | $3,390 | +$823 (+32%) |
| Mill Valley, CA | 14.1 mi | $3,090 | +$523 (+20%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 16.1 mi | $3,530 | +$963 (+38%) |
| Sausalito, CA | 17.2 mi | $2,990 | +$423 (+16%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 17.5 mi | $1,481 | $-1,086 (-42%) |
| Richmond, CA | 18.4 mi | $1,950 | $-617 (-24%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Novato — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Novato?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Novato, California is $2,567 per month. This is +33% below the citywide median of $3,857.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Novato?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $102,680 ($8,557/month gross), which works out to roughly $49.37/hour at a full-time job.
Is Novato expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Novato's 1-bedroom median of $2,567 is +84% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Novato rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Novato ranks #288 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Novato?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Petaluma ($2,555), Fairfax ($2,540), Sonoma ($2,050).