1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Salinas, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Salinas, California as of July 2026. That's +24% lower than the citywide median of $2,498 and +37% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Salinas
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 Salinas
Compare Salinas'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
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 1-bedroom rents than Salinas.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Salinas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marina, CA | 10.8 mi | $2,310 | +$405 (+21%) |
| Seaside, CA | 12.1 mi | $2,610 | +$705 (+37%) |
| Monterey, CA | 16.7 mi | $2,170 | +$265 (+14%) |
| Watsonville, CA | 19.4 mi | $2,780 | +$875 (+46%) |
| Pacific Grove, CA | 20.9 mi | $2,196 | +$291 (+15%) |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA | 22.7 mi | $2,800 | +$895 (+47%) |
| Gilroy, CA | 22.9 mi | $2,430 | +$525 (+28%) |
| Hollister, CA | 24 mi | $2,430 | +$525 (+28%) |
| Aptos, CA | 27.4 mi | $3,600 | +$1,695 (+89%) |
| Capitola, CA | 29.5 mi | $3,270 | +$1,365 (+72%) |
| Morgan Hill, CA | 33.1 mi | $2,430 | +$525 (+28%) |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 36.1 mi | $3,710 | +$1,805 (+95%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Salinas — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Salinas?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Salinas, California is $1,905 per month. This is +24% below the citywide median of $2,498.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Salinas?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $76,200 ($6,350/month gross), which works out to roughly $36.63/hour at a full-time job.
Is Salinas expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Salinas's 1-bedroom median of $1,905 is +37% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 79th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Salinas rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Salinas ranks #122 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Salinas?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 1-bedroom rents than Salinas.