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City Report · CA

South Lake Tahoe

Pop. 21,269·257th most expensive in California·South Lake Tahoe rents are up 14.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,523/mo
Year-over-Year
+14.5%
Month-over-Month
-7.5%
vs US Median
+$561
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
South Lake Tahoe · $2,523
More expensive than 80% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
43/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% above what South Lake Tahoe's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$2,523/mo
Expected by trend
$2,441/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where South Lake Tahoe's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,410
1 BR
$1,490
2 BR
$1,850
3 BR
$2,510
4 BR+
$2,900
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,850/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,523 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$30,276/yr
At $2,523/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+14.5% YoY, -7.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

South Lake Tahoe, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, 35.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
21,269
Median income
$82,002
Median age
41.1
Renters
48.7%
Age distribution
15.5%
24.1%
27.2%
15%
18.2%
Under 1815.5%
18–3424.1%
35–5427.2%
55–6415%
65+18.2%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
66.8%
26.1%
White66.8%
Hispanic26.1%
Asian5.5%
Other1.3%
Education (25+)
20.9%
32.9%
35.9%
No HS diploma10.3%
HS diploma20.9%
Some college32.9%
Bachelor's+35.9%
Housing tenure
51.3%
48.7%
Owner51.3%
Renter48.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How South Lake Tahoe, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,956 → $2,523
up 29.0%
Income
$57,976 → $82,002
up 41.4%
Population
21,355 → 21,269
down 0.4%
Renter share
55.7% → 48.7%
-7.0 pts
Bachelor's+
27.9% → 35.9%
+8.0 pts
Median age
39 → 41.1
+2.1 yrs

Rent in South Lake Tahoe, CA has climbed 29.0% since 2021, going from about $1,956 per month to roughly $2,523 today. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $57,976 in 2021 to $82,002 more recently. Income growth outran rent by about 12.4 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. About 48.7% of households rent today, against 55.7% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 27.9% to 35.9%. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the South Lake Tahoe, CA market of 2021.

Community

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View South Lake Tahoe rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in South Lake Tahoe on your salary?

At $2,523/mo, how South Lake Tahoe rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

South Lake Tahoe rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in South Lake Tahoe. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in South Lake Tahoe

About renting in South Lake Tahoe, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in South Lake Tahoe is $2,523/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,410/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,850/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,490/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,510/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($82,002/yr), South Lake Tahoe ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 14.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is South Lake Tahoe an affordable city for renters?

South Lake Tahoe is considered moderate for renters. At $2,523/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($82,002/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. South Lake Tahoe slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in South Lake Tahoe?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $101,000/year (~$49/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,523/mo in South Lake Tahoe. The local median household income is $82,002/yr, meaning the typical South Lake Tahoe household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in South Lake Tahoe?

Rent in South Lake Tahoe has increased 14.5% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does South Lake Tahoe rent compare to other cities in California?

South Lake Tahoe is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #257 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,523/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than South Lake Tahoe?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than South Lake Tahoe ($2,523/mo): Carson City ($1,925/mo), Gardnerville ($2,250/mo).

What percentage of South Lake Tahoe residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 48.7% of South Lake Tahoe households are renters, while 51.3% are owner-occupied. South Lake Tahoe leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does South Lake Tahoe rent compare to the national average?

South Lake Tahoe's median rent of $2,523/mo is $561 (29%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #257 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
37%
MODERATE

At $2,523/mo, rent takes ~37% of South Lake Tahoe's median household income ($82,002/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

South Lake Tahoe 37%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the South Lake Tahoe affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near South Lake Tahoe, CA

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