At $3,850/mo, rent takes about 42% of the local median household income, well 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 $3,850 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: September 25, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($109,091) is $2,727 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,700); a 3-bedroom is $3,600.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Solvang. 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
Solvang, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 38.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Solvang, CA has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $94,451 to $109,091 across the same window, up 15.5% versus 2021.
Discussions about Solvang
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Can you afford rent in Solvang on your salary?
At $3,850/mo, how Solvang rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Solvang rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Solvang. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Solvang
Last updated: September 25, 2026
The median rent in Solvang is $3,850/mo as of September 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,100/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,700/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,390/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,600/mo.
At 42% of local median household income ($109,091/yr), Solvang ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Solvang?
Is rent going up or down in Solvang?
How does Solvang rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Solvang?
At $3,850/mo, rent takes ~42% of Solvang's median household income ($109,091/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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