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City Report · CA

Topanga

Pop. 8,885·8th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$6,454/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-4.4%
vs US Median
+$4,489
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Topanga · $6,454
More expensive than 99% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
49% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $6,454/mo, rent takes about 49% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$258,000/yr
Local median income
$157,045/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Topanga's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,790
1 BR
$3,120
2 BR
$3,940
3 BR
$5,010
4 BR+
$5,560
Research median
$3,940/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
$77,448/yr
At $6,454/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -4.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Topanga, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 64% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
8,885
Median income
$157,045
Median age
46.5
Renters
17.9%
Age distribution
20.1%
14.7%
27%
16.7%
21.4%
Under 1820.1%
18–3414.7%
35–5427%
55–6416.7%
65+21.4%
Gender
46.9%
53.1%
Male46.9%
Female53.1%
Race & ethnicity
69%
White69%
Black1.3%
Hispanic7.5%
Asian11.7%
Other10.5%
Education (25+)
26.5%
64%
No HS diploma1.9%
HS diploma7.6%
Some college26.5%
Bachelor's+64%
Housing tenure
82.1%
17.9%
Owner82.1%
Renter17.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Topanga, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$128,884 → $157,045
up 21.8%
Population
8,255 → 8,885
up 7.6%
Renter share
25.1% → 17.9%
-7.2 pts
Bachelor's+
63.3% → 64%
+0.7 pts
Median age
45.6 → 46.5
+0.9 yrs

Median household income grew from $128,884 to $157,045 between 2021 and 2024, a 21.8% shift. Headcount in the area went from 8,255 to 8,885 between 2021 and 2024, a 7.6% change. About 17.9% of households rent today, against 25.1% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Topanga

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View Topanga rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Topanga on your salary?

At $6,454/mo, how Topanga rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Topanga rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Topanga

About renting in Topanga, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Topanga is $6,454/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,790/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,940/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,120/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $5,010/mo.

At 49% of local median household income ($157,045/yr), Topanga ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Topanga an affordable city for renters?

Topanga is considered stretched for renters. At $6,454/mo, rent takes approximately 49% of the local median household income ($157,045/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Topanga significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Topanga?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $258,000/year (~$124/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $6,454/mo in Topanga. The local median household income is $157,045/yr, meaning the typical Topanga household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Topanga?

Rent in Topanga has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Topanga rent compare to other cities in California?

Topanga is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #8 out of 387 tracked cities at $6,454/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Topanga?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Topanga ($6,454/mo): Oak Park ($3,286/mo), Santa Monica ($3,517/mo), Marina del Rey ($3,753/mo).

What percentage of Topanga residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 17.9% of Topanga households are renters, while 82.1% are owner-occupied. Topanga leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Topanga rent compare to the national average?

Topanga's median rent of $6,454/mo is $4,489 (228%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #8 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
49%
STRETCHED

At $6,454/mo, rent takes ~49% of Topanga's median household income ($157,045/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Topanga 49%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Topanga affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Topanga
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Topanga, CA

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