1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Walnut Creek, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Walnut Creek, California as of July 2026. That's +11% lower than the citywide median of $3,003 and +91% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Walnut Creek
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 Walnut Creek
Compare Walnut Creek'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 Walnut Creek.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Walnut Creek |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Hill, CA | 4.5 mi | $2,400 | $-267 (-10%) |
| Concord, CA | 5.2 mi | $2,153 | $-514 (-19%) |
| Lafayette, CA | 5.4 mi | $2,880 | +$213 (+8%) |
| Moraga, CA | 6.9 mi | $2,590 | $-77 (-3%) |
| Danville, CA | 8.5 mi | $2,865 | +$198 (+7%) |
| Martinez, CA | 9.4 mi | $1,990 | $-677 (-25%) |
| Orinda, CA | 10.4 mi | $2,410 | $-257 (-10%) |
| San Ramon, CA | 11.8 mi | $2,735 | +$68 (+3%) |
| Pittsburg, CA | 11.8 mi | $1,920 | $-747 (-28%) |
| Castro Valley, CA | 13.3 mi | $2,100 | $-567 (-21%) |
| Oakland, CA | 14.9 mi | $2,062 | $-605 (-23%) |
| Benicia, CA | 15.2 mi | $2,200 | $-467 (-18%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Walnut Creek — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Walnut Creek?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Walnut Creek, California is $2,667 per month. This is +11% below the citywide median of $3,003.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Walnut Creek?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $106,680 ($8,890/month gross), which works out to roughly $51.29/hour at a full-time job.
Is Walnut Creek expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Walnut Creek's 1-bedroom median of $2,667 is +91% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 96th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Walnut Creek rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Walnut Creek ranks #300 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Walnut Creek?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Pleasant Hill ($2,400), Concord ($2,153), Moraga ($2,590).