2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in South Lake Tahoe, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in South Lake Tahoe, California as of July 2026. That's +32% lower than the citywide median of $2,729 and +12% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,107 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,216 |
| 5 | California City | $1,230 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $4,865 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 3 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 4 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than South Lake Tahoe.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs South Lake Tahoe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City, NV | 23 mi | $1,503 | $-347 (-19%) |
| Incline Village, NV | 26.2 mi | $2,300 | +$450 (+24%) |
| Gardnerville, NV | 27.9 mi | $1,380 | $-470 (-25%) |
| Truckee, CA | 33.5 mi | $2,430 | +$580 (+31%) |
| Pollock Pines, CA | 34.5 mi | $1,550 | $-300 (-16%) |
| Dayton, NV | 44.3 mi | $1,430 | $-420 (-23%) |
| Verdi, NV | 44.9 mi | $1,430 | $-420 (-23%) |
| Reno, NV | 46 mi | $1,810 | $-40 (-2%) |
| Sparks, NV | 54.3 mi | $2,088 | +$238 (+13%) |
| Placerville, CA | 54.7 mi | $2,000 | +$150 (+8%) |
| Shingle Springs, CA | 68.3 mi | $2,290 | +$440 (+24%) |
| El Dorado Hills, CA | 73.9 mi | $3,090 | +$1,240 (+67%) |
2-Bedroom rent in South Lake Tahoe — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in South Lake Tahoe?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in South Lake Tahoe, California is $1,850 per month. This is +32% below the citywide median of $2,729.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in South Lake Tahoe?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $74,000 ($6,167/month gross), which works out to roughly $35.58/hour at a full-time job.
Is South Lake Tahoe expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
South Lake Tahoe's 2-bedroom median of $1,850 is +12% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 61th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does South Lake Tahoe rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, South Lake Tahoe ranks #56 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near South Lake Tahoe?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Carson City ($1,503), Gardnerville ($1,380), Pollock Pines ($1,550).