2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Novato, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Novato, California as of July 2026. That's +21% lower than the citywide median of $3,857 and +85% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,107 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,216 |
| 5 | California City | $1,230 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 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 | Santa Cruz | $4,865 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 3 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 4 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 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? 4 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Novato.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Novato |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Rafael, CA | 7.3 mi | $3,405 | +$342 (+11%) |
| San Anselmo, CA | 7.5 mi | $3,230 | +$167 (+5%) |
| Petaluma, CA | 11.5 mi | $3,200 | +$137 (+4%) |
| Larkspur, CA | 11.5 mi | $3,720 | +$657 (+21%) |
| Fairfax, CA | 11.7 mi | $3,030 | $-33 (-1%) |
| Sonoma, CA | 11.9 mi | $2,690 | $-373 (-12%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 12.2 mi | $4,040 | +$977 (+32%) |
| Mill Valley, CA | 14.1 mi | $3,690 | +$627 (+20%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 16.1 mi | $4,210 | +$1,147 (+37%) |
| Sausalito, CA | 17.2 mi | $3,570 | +$507 (+17%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 17.5 mi | $2,141 | $-922 (-30%) |
| Richmond, CA | 18.4 mi | $2,375 | $-688 (-22%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Novato — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Novato?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Novato, California is $3,063 per month. This is +21% below the citywide median of $3,857.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Novato?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $122,520 ($10,210/month gross), which works out to roughly $58.90/hour at a full-time job.
Is Novato expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Novato's 2-bedroom median of $3,063 is +85% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Novato rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Novato ranks #275 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Novato?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Fairfax ($3,030), Sonoma ($2,690), San Pablo ($2,141).