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City Report · CA

Sebastopol

Pop. 7,445·208th most expensive in California·Sebastopol rents have dropped 12.2%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$2,724/mo
Year-over-Year
-12.2%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
+$759
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Sebastopol · $2,724
More expensive than 85% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
37% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,724/mo, rent takes about 37% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$109,000/yr
Local median income
$87,684/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Sebastopol's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,780
1 BR
$1,970
2 BR
$2,590
3 BR
$3,540
4 BR+
$3,740
Research median
$2,590/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$32,688/yr
At $2,724/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 12.2% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-12.2% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
7,445
Median income
$87,684
Median age
49.1
Renters
43.7%
Age distribution
16.4%
18.5%
22.6%
14.5%
27.9%
Under 1816.4%
18–3418.5%
35–5422.6%
55–6414.5%
65+27.9%
Gender
47.8%
52.2%
Male47.8%
Female52.2%
Race & ethnicity
70.4%
15.8%
White70.4%
Black1.1%
Hispanic15.8%
Asian6.1%
Other6.6%
Education (25+)
14%
29.4%
51.3%
No HS diploma5.4%
HS diploma14%
Some college29.4%
Bachelor's+51.3%
Housing tenure
56.3%
43.7%
Owner56.3%
Renter43.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Sebastopol, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$89,679 → $87,684
down 2.2%
Population
7,563 → 7,445
down 1.6%
Renter share
42.8% → 43.7%
+0.9 pts
Bachelor's+
47% → 51.3%
+4.3 pts

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%.

Community

Discussions about Sebastopol

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View Sebastopol rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Sebastopol on your salary?

At $2,724/mo, how Sebastopol rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Sebastopol rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Sebastopol. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Sebastopol

About renting in Sebastopol, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Sebastopol is $2,724/mo as of July 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 37% of local median household income ($87,684/yr), Sebastopol ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 12.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Sebastopol an affordable city for renters?

Sebastopol is considered moderate for renters. At $2,724/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($87,684/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Sebastopol slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Sebastopol?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $109,000/year (~$52/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,724/mo in Sebastopol. The local median household income is $87,684/yr, meaning the typical Sebastopol household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Sebastopol?

Rent in Sebastopol has decreased 12.2% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Sebastopol rent compare to other cities in California?

Sebastopol is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #208 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,724/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sebastopol?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Sebastopol ($2,724/mo): Guerneville ($2,253/mo), Santa Rosa ($2,534/mo), Rohnert Park ($2,649/mo).

What percentage of Sebastopol residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.7% of Sebastopol households are renters, while 56.3% are owner-occupied. Sebastopol leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Sebastopol rent compare to the national average?

Sebastopol's median rent of $2,724/mo is $759 (39%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #208 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
37%
MODERATE

At $2,724/mo, rent takes ~37% of Sebastopol's median household income ($87,684/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Sebastopol 37%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Sebastopol affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Sebastopol, CA

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