Most rent-burdened cities in California
Cities in California ranked by highest rent as a percentage of median household income. Cities with 15,000+ residents.
Key findings
- Laguna Woods ranks first, with rent at 62.4% of median household income.
- Across all 310 cities on this list, the median rent is $2,786/mo.
- Santa Barbara moved from #28 to #22 compared with a year ago.
Data as of September 2026. Twelve months of median rent as a share of Census median household income (5-year estimates). 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 | Rent/income | Median rent | Income | Vs. a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Laguna WoodsCA | 62.4% | $3,081/mo | $59,269 | same |
| 02 | WestmontCA | 55.4% | $2,333/mo | $50,509 | same |
| 03 | WatsonvilleCA | 51.0% | $3,332/mo | $78,393 | same |
| 04 | Rancho MirageCA | 50.9% | $4,556/mo | $107,364 | same |
| 05 | San Luis ObispoCA | 48.3% | $2,968/mo | $73,685 | same |
| 06 | Desert Hot SpringsCA | 46.4% | $2,038/mo | $52,761 | ↑2 from #8 |
| 07 | Laguna BeachCA | 46.0% | $5,519/mo | $143,843 | ↑4 from #11 |
| 08 | CoronadoCA | 45.7% | $5,122/mo | $134,534 | ↓2 from #6 |
| 09 | RosemeadCA | 44.9% | $2,755/mo | $73,566 | ↓2 from #7 |
| 10 | East Palo AltoCA | 44.9% | $4,250/mo | $113,493 | -- |
| 11 | ParamountCA | 44.7% | $2,806/mo | $75,250 | ↓2 from #9 |
| 12 | MontclairCA | 44.7% | $2,895/mo | $77,659 | ↑3 from #15 |
| 13 | Baldwin ParkCA | 44.0% | $2,959/mo | $80,663 | -- |
| 14 | La QuintaCA | 43.7% | $3,617/mo | $99,250 | ↓1 from #13 |
| 15 | National CityCA | 43.6% | $2,426/mo | $66,841 | ↓1 from #14 |
| 16 | El MonteCA | 43.2% | $2,451/mo | $68,030 | ↓4 from #12 |
| 17 | MontebelloCA | 42.6% | $2,837/mo | $79,971 | ↓1 from #16 |
| 18 | Palm DesertCA | 42.6% | $2,749/mo | $77,513 | ↓1 from #17 |
| 19 | ClearlakeCA | 42.4% | $1,478/mo | $41,867 | -- |
| 20 | Los BanosCA | 41.4% | $2,354/mo | $68,171 | ↓1 from #19 |
| 21 | SeasideCA | 41.3% | $2,938/mo | $85,311 | ↑3 from #24 |
| 22 | Santa BarbaraCA | 41.2% | $3,642/mo | $106,182 | ↑6 from #28 |
| 23 | NovatoCA | 41.2% | $3,969/mo | $115,736 | ↑6 from #29 |
| 24 | InglewoodCA | 41.0% | $2,487/mo | $72,750 | ↓6 from #18 |
| 25 | Seal BeachCA | 41.0% | $2,935/mo | $85,964 | ↓15 from #10 |
| 26 | HighlandCA | 40.9% | $2,630/mo | $77,120 | ↑4 from #30 |
| 27 | PalmdaleCA | 40.8% | $2,780/mo | $81,770 | ↓2 from #25 |
| 28 | West HollywoodCA | 40.7% | $3,292/mo | $96,995 | ↓8 from #20 |
| 29 | San FranciscoCA | 40.7% | $4,784/mo | $140,970 | ↑83 from #112 |
| 30 | ArcataCA | 40.6% | $1,582/mo | $46,713 | ↓3 from #27 |
| 31 | Los AngelesCA | 40.6% | $2,772/mo | $81,939 | ↓10 from #21 |
| 32 | MaderaCA | 40.6% | $2,162/mo | $63,933 | ↓6 from #26 |
| 33 | El CajonCA | 40.2% | $2,259/mo | $67,511 | ↓11 from #22 |
| 34 | WestminsterCA | 40.0% | $2,851/mo | $85,541 | ↑2 from #36 |
| 35 | ShafterCA | 39.5% | $2,344/mo | $71,215 | -- |
| 36 | Imperial BeachCA | 39.3% | $2,822/mo | $86,111 | ↓13 from #23 |
| 37 | La PuenteCA | 39.1% | $2,824/mo | $86,602 | -- |
| 38 | Hacienda HeightsCA | 38.9% | $3,538/mo | $109,193 | ↓7 from #31 |
| 39 | MercedCA | 38.8% | $2,041/mo | $63,122 | ↓5 from #34 |
| 40 | Monterey ParkCA | 38.7% | $2,638/mo | $81,855 | ↓7 from #33 |
| 41 | San Juan CapistranoCA | 38.6% | $4,164/mo | $129,457 | ↑11 from #52 |
| 42 | PerrisCA | 38.4% | $2,846/mo | $88,911 | ↓2 from #40 |
| 43 | HemetCA | 38.2% | $1,839/mo | $57,719 | ↓11 from #32 |
| 44 | Cathedral CityCA | 38.2% | $2,343/mo | $73,572 | ↑9 from #53 |
| 45 | StantonCA | 38.0% | $2,683/mo | $84,707 | ↓4 from #41 |
| 46 | Temple CityCA | 37.9% | $3,298/mo | $104,425 | ↓11 from #35 |
| 47 | MenifeeCA | 37.8% | $2,945/mo | $93,454 | ↑4 from #51 |
| 48 | LawndaleCA | 37.8% | $2,692/mo | $85,441 | ↑6 from #54 |
| 49 | ChinoCA | 37.7% | $3,286/mo | $104,682 | ↓11 from #38 |
| 50 | GoletaCA | 37.6% | $3,838/mo | $122,370 | ↓11 from #39 |