At $2,871/mo, rent takes about 39% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,871 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Sebastopol changed +5.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
30% of the median household income ($87,684) is $2,192 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,970); a 2-bedroom is $2,590.
Santa Rosa, 10 miles away, rents for 10% less ($2,582/mo), about $3,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Sebastopol. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Sebastopol, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 51.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Sebastopol, CA has changed in 5 years
On the earnings side, the typical household in Sebastopol, CA now reports about $87,684, up from $89,679 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 7,563 to 7,445 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.6% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 47% to 51.3%.
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Can you afford rent in Sebastopol on your salary?
At $2,871/mo, how Sebastopol rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Sebastopol rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Sebastopol. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Sebastopol
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Sebastopol is $2,871/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,780/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,590/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,970/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,540/mo.
At 39% of local median household income ($87,684/yr), Sebastopol ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Sebastopol?
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Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sebastopol?
At $2,871/mo, rent takes ~39% of Sebastopol's median household income ($87,684/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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