2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Riverside, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Riverside, California as of July 2026. That's +7% higher than the citywide median of $2,420 and +57% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-bedroom in Riverside
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 Riverside
Compare Riverside'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? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Riverside.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Riverside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jurupa Valley, CA | 8.2 mi | $2,470 | $-129 (-5%) |
| Grand Terrace, CA | 8.7 mi | $2,310 | $-289 (-11%) |
| Colton, CA | 9.5 mi | $2,250 | $-349 (-13%) |
| Moreno Valley, CA | 12.4 mi | $2,678 | +$79 (+3%) |
| Fontana, CA | 12.5 mi | $2,657 | +$58 (+2%) |
| Rialto, CA | 12.5 mi | $2,190 | $-409 (-16%) |
| Loma Linda, CA | 12.8 mi | $2,350 | $-249 (-10%) |
| Perris, CA | 14.4 mi | $2,590 | $-9 (0%) |
| Eastvale, CA | 15 mi | $3,460 | +$861 (+33%) |
| Redlands, CA | 17.2 mi | $2,635 | +$36 (+1%) |
| Lake Elsinore, CA | 18.2 mi | $2,800 | +$201 (+8%) |
| Ontario, CA | 18.3 mi | $2,680 | +$81 (+3%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Riverside — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Riverside?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Riverside, California is $2,599 per month. This is +7% higher than the citywide median of $2,420.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Riverside?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $103,960 ($8,663/month gross), which works out to roughly $49.98/hour at a full-time job.
Is Riverside expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Riverside's 2-bedroom median of $2,599 is +57% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 88th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Riverside rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Riverside ranks #166 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Riverside?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Jurupa Valley ($2,470), Grand Terrace ($2,310), Colton ($2,250).