1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in South Lake Tahoe, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in South Lake Tahoe, California as of July 2026. That's +45% lower than the citywide median of $2,729 and +7% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in South Lake Tahoe
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in South Lake Tahoe
Compare South Lake Tahoe's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than South Lake Tahoe.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs South Lake Tahoe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City, NV | 23 mi | $1,183 | $-307 (-21%) |
| Incline Village, NV | 26.2 mi | $1,830 | +$340 (+23%) |
| Gardnerville, NV | 27.9 mi | $1,130 | $-360 (-24%) |
| Truckee, CA | 33.5 mi | $1,950 | +$460 (+31%) |
| Pollock Pines, CA | 34.5 mi | $1,250 | $-240 (-16%) |
| Dayton, NV | 44.3 mi | $1,140 | $-350 (-23%) |
| Verdi, NV | 44.9 mi | $1,140 | $-350 (-23%) |
| Reno, NV | 46 mi | $1,441 | $-49 (-3%) |
| Sparks, NV | 54.3 mi | $1,660 | +$170 (+11%) |
| Placerville, CA | 54.7 mi | $1,610 | +$120 (+8%) |
| Shingle Springs, CA | 68.3 mi | $1,840 | +$350 (+23%) |
| El Dorado Hills, CA | 73.9 mi | $2,490 | +$1,000 (+67%) |
1-Bedroom rent in South Lake Tahoe — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in South Lake Tahoe?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in South Lake Tahoe, California is $1,490 per month. This is +45% below the citywide median of $2,729.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in South Lake Tahoe?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $59,600 ($4,967/month gross), which works out to roughly $28.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is South Lake Tahoe expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
South Lake Tahoe's 1-bedroom median of $1,490 is +7% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 57th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does South Lake Tahoe rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, South Lake Tahoe ranks #57 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near South Lake Tahoe?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Carson City ($1,183), Gardnerville ($1,130), Pollock Pines ($1,250).