RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · CA

Ridgecrest

Pop. 28,225·387th most expensive in California·Ridgecrest rents have dropped 12.2%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,204/mo
Year-over-Year
-12.2%
Month-over-Month
-5.2%
vs US Median
-$761
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Ridgecrest rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Ridgecrest · $1,204
More affordable than 92% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
83/100
Great value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 17% below what Ridgecrest's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,204/mo
Expected by trend
$1,445/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Ridgecrest's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$838
1 BR
$887
2 BR
$1,107
3 BR
$1,492
4 BR+
$1,823
Research median
$1,107/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$14,448/yr
At $1,204/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 12.2% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-12.2% YoY, -5.2% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Ridgecrest, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 30.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
28,225
Median income
$89,250
Median age
33.4
Renters
41.2%
Age distribution
27.2%
24.8%
25.3%
12.4%
Under 1827.2%
18–3424.8%
35–5425.3%
55–6410.3%
65+12.4%
Gender
52.6%
47.4%
Male52.6%
Female47.4%
Race & ethnicity
65.6%
23.6%
White65.6%
Black4.4%
Hispanic23.6%
Asian4.2%
Other2.1%
Education (25+)
20.5%
40.7%
30.9%
No HS diploma7.9%
HS diploma20.5%
Some college40.7%
Bachelor's+30.9%
Housing tenure
58.8%
41.2%
Owner58.8%
Renter41.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Ridgecrest, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,092 → $1,204
up 10.3%
Income
$77,534 → $89,250
up 15.1%
Population
27,989 → 28,225
up 0.8%
Renter share
40.5% → 41.2%
+0.7 pts
Bachelor's+
32.8% → 30.9%
-1.9 pts
Median age
36.6 → 33.4
-3.2 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Ridgecrest, CA paid around $1,092 a month. That figure now sits near $1,204, up 10.3% from the 2021 baseline. Household income in the area moved from $77,534 to $89,250 across the same window, up 15.1% versus 2021. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Ridgecrest, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Ridgecrest

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Ridgecrest rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Ridgecrest on your salary?

At $1,204/mo, how Ridgecrest rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Ridgecrest rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Ridgecrest. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Ridgecrest

About renting in Ridgecrest, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Ridgecrest is $1,204/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $838/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,107/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $887/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,492/mo.

At 16% of local median household income ($89,250/yr), Ridgecrest ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 12.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Ridgecrest an affordable city for renters?

Ridgecrest is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,204/mo, rent takes approximately 16% of the local median household income ($89,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Ridgecrest falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Ridgecrest?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $48,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,204/mo in Ridgecrest. The local median household income is $89,250/yr, meaning the typical Ridgecrest household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Ridgecrest?

Rent in Ridgecrest has decreased 12.2% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Ridgecrest rent compare to other cities in California?

Ridgecrest is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #387 out of 387 tracked cities at $1,204/mo.

What percentage of Ridgecrest residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 41.2% of Ridgecrest households are renters, while 58.8% are owner-occupied. Ridgecrest leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Ridgecrest rent compare to the national average?

Ridgecrest's median rent of $1,204/mo is $761 (39%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #387 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
16%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,204/mo, rent takes ~16% of Ridgecrest's median household income ($89,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Ridgecrest 16%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Ridgecrest affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Ridgecrest
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Ridgecrest, CA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Ridgecrest.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.