1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Palmdale, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Palmdale, California as of July 2026. That's +24% lower than the citywide median of $2,720 and +49% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Palmdale
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 Palmdale
Compare Palmdale'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? 2 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Palmdale.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Palmdale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster, CA | 15.5 mi | $1,810 | $-265 (-13%) |
| La Canada Flintridge, CA | 19.7 mi | $3,120 | +$1,045 (+50%) |
| La Crescenta-Montrose, CA | 19.9 mi | $2,470 | +$395 (+19%) |
| Altadena, CA | 21.7 mi | $2,360 | +$285 (+14%) |
| Santa Clarita, CA | 22.7 mi | $2,615 | +$540 (+26%) |
| Burbank, CA | 24.1 mi | $2,350 | +$275 (+13%) |
| Glendale, CA | 24.3 mi | $2,356 | +$281 (+14%) |
| Pasadena, CA | 24.6 mi | $2,447 | +$372 (+18%) |
| Azusa, CA | 26.8 mi | $1,910 | $-165 (-8%) |
| San Marino, CA | 26.9 mi | $2,290 | +$215 (+10%) |
| South Pasadena, CA | 27.5 mi | $2,390 | +$315 (+15%) |
| Arcadia, CA | 27.7 mi | $2,210 | +$135 (+7%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Palmdale — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Palmdale?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Palmdale, California is $2,075 per month. This is +24% below the citywide median of $2,720.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Palmdale?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $83,000 ($6,917/month gross), which works out to roughly $39.90/hour at a full-time job.
Is Palmdale expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Palmdale's 1-bedroom median of $2,075 is +49% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 85th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Palmdale rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Palmdale ranks #164 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Palmdale?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Lancaster ($1,810), Azusa ($1,910).