Most expensive cities for renters in California
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Data as of September 2026. Median rent from RentDataNow's monthly city data (Zillow's rent index where Zillow covers the city). Rank a year ago compares the same cities' rent 12 months earlier. Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)
Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordableMost expensiveRent fallingRent risingBest rent/incomeMost rent-burdenedRecord-high rentSeasonal swingsRent vs. income
310 cities
| Rank | City | Median rent | 1-yr change | 5-yr change | Rent/income | Vs. a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 301 | EurekaCA | $1,612/mo | +2.4% | -- | 33.5% | ↓21 from #280 |
| 302 | ArcataCA | $1,582/mo | +2.4% | -- | 40.6% | ↓21 from #281 |
| 303 | El CentroCA | $1,573/mo | 0.0% | -- | 35.6% | -- |
| 304 | ChicoCA | $1,561/mo | +2.0% | +13.4% | 28.0% | ↓22 from #282 |
| 305 | Twentynine PalmsCA | $1,494/mo | +5.2% | -- | 28.7% | ↓21 from #284 |
| 306 | ClearlakeCA | $1,478/mo | 0.0% | -- | 42.4% | -- |
| 307 | PortervilleCA | $1,475/mo | +3.0% | -- | 29.3% | ↓24 from #283 |
| 308 | BarstowCA | $1,467/mo | +7.5% | -- | 33.0% | ↓22 from #286 |
| 309 | OrovilleCA | $1,436/mo | +4.7% | -- | 33.0% | ↓24 from #285 |
| 310 | RidgecrestCA | $1,274/mo | +2.3% | +23.8% | 17.1% | ↓23 from #287 |