1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Carlos, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Carlos, California as of October 2026. That's +30% lower than the citywide median of $4,248 and +113% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in San Carlos
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 San Carlos
Compare San Carlos's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $938 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 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 | Montecito | $4,030 |
| 2 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 3 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 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? 4 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than San Carlos.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs San Carlos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont, CA | 2.2 mi | $3,090 | +$120 (+4%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 3.2 mi | $3,133 | +$163 (+5%) |
| Foster City, CA | 4.1 mi | $3,820 | +$850 (+29%) |
| San Mateo, CA | 4.9 mi | $3,100 | +$130 (+4%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 7.1 mi | $3,130 | +$160 (+5%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 7.6 mi | $2,445 | $-525 (-18%) |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 9.8 mi | $2,540 | $-430 (-14%) |
| Palo Alto, CA | 10.2 mi | $3,305 | +$335 (+11%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 11.2 mi | $2,550 | $-420 (-14%) |
| Millbrae, CA | 11.4 mi | $3,410 | +$440 (+15%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 13 mi | $3,530 | +$560 (+19%) |
| San Bruno, CA | 14.2 mi | $2,670 | $-300 (-10%) |
1-Bedroom rent in San Carlos — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in San Carlos?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in San Carlos, California is $2,970 per month. This is +30% below the citywide median of $4,248.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in San Carlos?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $118,800 ($9,900/month gross), which works out to roughly $57.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Carlos expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Carlos's 1-bedroom median of $2,970 is +113% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Carlos rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, San Carlos ranks #336 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near San Carlos?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Burlingame ($2,445), Half Moon Bay ($2,540), East Palo Alto ($2,550).