How much does it cost to rent in South Lake Tahoe, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in South Lake Tahoe, CA is $2,729. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is South Lake Tahoe cheaper than other California cities?

South Lake Tahoe falls in the middle range for California, ranking #207 out of 387 cities at $2,729/mo.

When was South Lake Tahoe rent data last updated?

South Lake Tahoe 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

South Lake Tahoe

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

Pop. 21,269·207th most expensive in California·South Lake Tahoe rents are up 24.2% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,729/mo

Year-over-Year

+24.2%

Month-over-Month

-3.6%

vs US Median

+$764

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

South Lake Tahoe · $2,729

More expensive than 85% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

27/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 11% above what South Lake Tahoe's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$2,729/mo

Expected by trend

$2,452/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

Research median

$1,850/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$32,748/yr

At $2,729/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 24.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+24.2% YoY, -3.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

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 → $2,729

up 39.5%

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 39.5% since 2021, going from about $1,956 per month to roughly $2,729 today. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $57,976 in 2021 to $82,002 more recently. 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

Discussions about South Lake Tahoe

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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 $2,729/mo, how South Lake Tahoe rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 29.4% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 41.4% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 35.9% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 20.1% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 15.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 44.2% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 48.9% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 39.7% income

stretched

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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in South Lake Tahoe is $2,729/mo as of July 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 40% of local median household income ($82,002/yr), South Lake Tahoe ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 24.2% 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 $2,729/mo, rent takes approximately 40% 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 $109,000/year (~$52/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,729/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 24.2% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

South Lake Tahoe is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #207 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,729/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than South Lake Tahoe ($2,729/mo): Carson City ($1,840/mo), Gardnerville ($2,300/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 $2,729/mo is $764 (39%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #207 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

40%

MODERATE

At $2,729/mo, rent takes ~40% of South Lake Tahoe's median household income ($82,002/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

South Lake Tahoe 40%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the South Lake Tahoe affordability calculator →

Nearby cities