How much does it cost to rent in Sonoma, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Sonoma, CA is $3,128. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Sonoma cheaper than other California cities?

Sonoma is one of the pricier cities in California, ranking #127 out of 387 cities tracked at $3,128/mo.

When was Sonoma rent data last updated?

Sonoma rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Sonoma

Name: Average Rent Prices in Sonoma, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 10,670·127th most expensive in California·Sonoma rents are up 7.9% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$3,128/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.9%

Month-over-Month

+6.9%

vs US Median

+$1,163

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Sonoma · $3,128

More expensive than 92% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

46/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 2% above what Sonoma's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$3,128/mo

Expected by trend

$3,060/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Sonoma's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,840

1 BR

$2,050

2 BR

$2,690

3 BR

$3,670

4 BR+

$3,890

Research median

$2,690/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

$37,536/yr

At $3,128/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 7.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.9% YoY, +6.9% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Sonoma, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 51.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

10,670

Median income

$98,527

Median age

57.3

Renters

35%

Age distribution

14.1%

12.6%

20.1%

18.9%

34.3%

Under 1814.1%

18–3412.6%

35–5420.1%

55–6418.9%

65+34.3%

Gender

46.1%

53.9%

Male46.1%

Female53.9%

Race & ethnicity

82.6%

12.5%

White82.6%

Black1.2%

Hispanic12.5%

Asian2%

Other1.7%

Education (25+)

18%

26.5%

51.2%

No HS diploma4.3%

HS diploma18%

Some college26.5%

Bachelor's+51.2%

Housing tenure

65%

35%

Owner65%

Renter35%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Sonoma, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,309 → $3,128

up 35.5%

Income

$92,078 → $98,527

up 7.0%

Population

10,819 → 10,670

down 1.4%

Renter share

39.1% → 35%

-4.1 pts

Bachelor's+

45.7% → 51.2%

+5.5 pts

Median age

54.1 → 57.3

+3.2 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Sonoma, CA has shifted from $2,309 to $3,128, up 35.5% since 2021. Median household income climbed from $92,078 to $98,527 between 2021 and 2024, a 7.0% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Sonoma, CA losing about 149 residents over the five-year window, down 1.4% on net. The renter share has eased from 39.1% to 35%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 45.7% to 51.2% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Sonoma, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Sonoma

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View Sonoma rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Sonoma on your salary?

At $3,128/mo, how Sonoma rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 33.7% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 47.4% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 41.2% income

rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 23% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 18% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 50.6% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 56.1% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 45.5% income

rent-burdened

By apartment size

Sonoma rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Sonoma

About renting in Sonoma, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Sonoma is $3,128/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,840/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,690/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,050/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,670/mo.

At 38% of local median household income ($98,527/yr), Sonoma ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Sonoma an affordable city for renters?

Sonoma is considered moderate for renters. At $3,128/mo, rent takes approximately 38% of the local median household income ($98,527/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Sonoma slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Sonoma?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $125,000/year (~$60/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,128/mo in Sonoma. The local median household income is $98,527/yr, meaning the typical Sonoma household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Sonoma?

Rent in Sonoma has increased 7.9% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Sonoma rent compare to other cities in California?

Sonoma is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #127 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,128/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sonoma?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Sonoma ($3,128/mo): Rohnert Park ($2,649/mo), Napa ($2,781/mo), Petaluma ($2,927/mo).

What percentage of Sonoma residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35% of Sonoma households are renters, while 65% are owner-occupied. Sonoma leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Sonoma rent compare to the national average?

Sonoma's median rent of $3,128/mo is $1,163 (59%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #127 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

38%

MODERATE

At $3,128/mo, rent takes ~38% of Sonoma's median household income ($98,527/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Sonoma 38%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Sonoma affordability calculator →

Nearby cities