2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Santa Clara, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Clara, California as of July 2026. That's +6% lower than the citywide median of $3,890 and +121% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-bedroom in Santa Clara
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 Santa Clara
Compare Santa Clara'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 Santa Clara.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunnyvale, CA | 4 mi | $3,980 | +$320 (+9%) |
| Campbell, CA | 5.9 mi | $3,360 | $-300 (-8%) |
| Mountain View, CA | 7.9 mi | $3,823 | +$163 (+4%) |
| Milpitas, CA | 8.7 mi | $3,500 | $-160 (-4%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 8.8 mi | $4,500 | +$840 (+23%) |
| Saratoga, CA | 9 mi | $3,880 | +$220 (+6%) |
| Los Gatos, CA | 10 mi | $3,595 | $-65 (-2%) |
| Newark, CA | 10.7 mi | $2,760 | $-900 (-25%) |
| Fremont, CA | 11.8 mi | $3,360 | $-300 (-8%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 12.1 mi | $3,030 | $-630 (-17%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 12.2 mi | $4,170 | +$510 (+14%) |
| Palo Alto, CA | 12.8 mi | $3,830 | +$170 (+5%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Santa Clara — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Clara?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Santa Clara, California is $3,660 per month. This is +6% below the citywide median of $3,890.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Santa Clara?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $146,400 ($12,200/month gross), which works out to roughly $70.38/hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Clara expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Santa Clara's 2-bedroom median of $3,660 is +121% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Santa Clara rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Santa Clara ranks #347 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Santa Clara?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Campbell ($3,360), Milpitas ($3,500), Los Gatos ($3,595).