1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Seal Beach, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Seal Beach, California as of July 2026. That's +22% lower than the citywide median of $3,189 and +78% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Seal Beach
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 Seal Beach
Compare Seal Beach'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
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Seal Beach.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Seal Beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Alamitos, CA | 2.7 mi | $2,300 | $-180 (-7%) |
| Cypress, CA | 4.9 mi | $2,310 | $-170 (-7%) |
| Westminster, CA | 5.6 mi | $2,110 | $-370 (-15%) |
| Huntington Beach, CA | 6.1 mi | $2,475 | $-5 (0%) |
| Stanton, CA | 6.3 mi | $2,110 | $-370 (-15%) |
| Lakewood, CA | 6.6 mi | $2,590 | +$110 (+4%) |
| Long Beach, CA | 6.8 mi | $2,095 | $-385 (-16%) |
| Buena Park, CA | 8.5 mi | $2,265 | $-215 (-9%) |
| Fountain Valley, CA | 9.2 mi | $2,630 | +$150 (+6%) |
| Bellflower, CA | 9.6 mi | $1,890 | $-590 (-24%) |
| Norwalk, CA | 10.3 mi | $1,940 | $-540 (-22%) |
| La Mirada, CA | 10.9 mi | $2,350 | $-130 (-5%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Seal Beach — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Seal Beach?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Seal Beach, California is $2,480 per month. This is +22% below the citywide median of $3,189.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Seal Beach?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $99,200 ($8,267/month gross), which works out to roughly $47.69/hour at a full-time job.
Is Seal Beach expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Seal Beach's 1-bedroom median of $2,480 is +78% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 94th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Seal Beach rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Seal Beach ranks #272 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Seal Beach?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Los Alamitos ($2,300), Cypress ($2,310), Westminster ($2,110).