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Biggest seasonal rent swings in California

How far typical asking rents move between the cheapest and priciest month in California cities, from at least five years of Zillow data. Cities with 15,000+ residents.

Key findings

Saratoga ranks first, with a swing of 6.5% between December and June.
Across all 204 cities on this list, the median rent is $2,849/mo.

Data as of September 2026. Gap between the cheapest and priciest calendar month, from Zillow's unadjusted and seasonally adjusted rent indexes over five or more years. Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)

Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordable Most expensive Rent falling Rent rising Best rent/income Most rent-burdened Record-high rent Seasonal swings Rent vs. income

204 cities

Rank	City	Yearly swing	Cheapest month	Priciest month	Median rent
01	SaratogaCA Pop. 30KCompare →	6.5%	December	June	$6,140/mo
02	DavisCA Pop. 67KCompare →	5.1%	January	July	$2,394/mo
03	CoronadoCA Pop. 19KCompare →	4.7%	October	July	$5,122/mo
04	La QuintaCA Pop. 39KCompare →	4.7%	June	November	$3,617/mo
05	Foster CityCA Pop. 33KCompare →	4.4%	January	July	$4,450/mo
06	Palm DesertCA Pop. 52KCompare →	4.1%	July	December	$2,749/mo
07	IndioCA Pop. 92KCompare →	4.1%	July	March	$2,316/mo
08	Laguna BeachCA Pop. 23KCompare →	3.9%	October	May	$5,519/mo
09	SunnyvaleCA Pop. 154KCompare →	3.6%	December	July	$3,972/mo
10	South Lake TahoeCA Pop. 21KCompare →	3.6%	February	June	$2,377/mo
11	Mountain ViewCA Pop. 84KCompare →	3.5%	January	August	$4,535/mo
12	Menlo ParkCA Pop. 33KCompare →	3.5%	January	August	$4,277/mo
13	Union CityCA Pop. 67KCompare →	3.5%	December	August	$2,913/mo
14	RosemontCA Pop. 24KCompare →	3.5%	January	July	$1,996/mo
15	Rowland HeightsCA Pop. 46KCompare →	3.4%	September	April	$2,421/mo
16	Los AltosCA Pop. 31KCompare →	3.3%	January	July	$6,886/mo
17	DanvilleCA Pop. 43KCompare →	3.2%	January	July	$4,324/mo
18	Redwood CityCA Pop. 82KCompare →	3.2%	December	July	$4,301/mo
19	South San FranciscoCA Pop. 64KCompare →	3.2%	December	June	$4,141/mo
20	San MateoCA Pop. 103KCompare →	3.2%	January	August	$3,968/mo
21	San Luis ObispoCA Pop. 48KCompare →	3.2%	October	February	$2,968/mo
22	Santa MariaCA Pop. 110KCompare →	3.2%	March	September	$2,509/mo
23	CupertinoCA Pop. 59KCompare →	3.1%	January	July	$4,307/mo
24	LakewoodCA Pop. 80KCompare →	3.1%	November	July	$3,401/mo
25	Santa ClaraCA Pop. 130KCompare →	3.0%	January	August	$3,958/mo
26	LafayetteCA Pop. 25KCompare →	3.0%	December	July	$3,372/mo
27	RocklinCA Pop. 73KCompare →	3.0%	January	July	$2,408/mo
28	Manhattan BeachCA Pop. 34KCompare →	2.9%	December	June	$6,406/mo
29	La HabraCA Pop. 62KCompare →	2.9%	December	September	$2,753/mo
30	San RafaelCA Pop. 60KCompare →	2.8%	January	August	$3,166/mo
31	Rancho CordovaCA Pop. 82KCompare →	2.8%	January	August	$2,412/mo
32	West SacramentoCA Pop. 55KCompare →	2.8%	December	August	$2,263/mo
33	Palo AltoCA Pop. 67KCompare →	2.7%	February	August	$4,558/mo
34	San JoseCA Pop. 990KCompare →	2.7%	January	July	$3,582/mo
35	DublinCA Pop. 71KCompare →	2.6%	December	August	$3,325/mo
36	Stevenson RanchCA Pop. 21KCompare →	2.6%	February	August	$2,899/mo
37	San FranciscoCA Pop. 830KCompare →	2.5%	January	August	$4,784/mo
38	San CarlosCA Pop. 30KCompare →	2.5%	December	July	$4,248/mo
39	Santa CruzCA Pop. 62KCompare →	2.5%	December	July	$3,418/mo
40	FremontCA Pop. 228KCompare →	2.5%	December	July	$3,388/mo
41	CypressCA Pop. 49KCompare →	2.5%	February	October	$3,015/mo
42	MercedCA Pop. 92KCompare →	2.5%	January	August	$2,041/mo
43	Rancho Palos VerdesCA Pop. 41KCompare →	2.4%	December	July	$4,522/mo
44	MillbraeCA Pop. 23KCompare →	2.4%	November	May	$4,081/mo
45	BelmontCA Pop. 27KCompare →	2.4%	January	August	$3,798/mo
46	PleasantonCA Pop. 77KCompare →	2.4%	December	July	$3,175/mo
47	BurlingameCA Pop. 31KCompare →	2.3%	February	August	$4,119/mo
48	NovatoCA Pop. 53KCompare →	2.3%	January	May	$3,969/mo
49	San RamonCA Pop. 86KCompare →	2.3%	December	June	$3,121/mo
50	FolsomCA Pop. 84KCompare →	2.3%	January	July	$2,667/mo