Most overheated rental markets in California
Cities in California renting furthest above their own 10-year trend, ranked by Rent Reality Score. Updated monthly.
Key findings
- South San Francisco ranks first, with a Rent Reality Score of 15.
- Across all 258 cities on this list, the median rent is $2,829/mo.
Data as of September 2026. RentDataNow's Rent Reality Score compares each city's current rent with its own 10-year trend. High-confidence trends only. 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
258 cities
| Rank | City | Score | Median rent | Vs. trend | 1-yr change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | South San FranciscoCA | 15 | $4,141/mo | +17.7% | +19.2% |
| 02 | Los AltosCA | 18 | $6,886/mo | +16.1% | +19.3% |
| 03 | Menlo ParkCA | 22 | $4,277/mo | +13.9% | +10.8% |
| 04 | BurlingameCA | 22 | $4,119/mo | +14.2% | +13.6% |
| 05 | Palo AltoCA | 23 | $4,558/mo | +13.6% | +10.0% |
| 06 | BelmontCA | 23 | $3,798/mo | +13.6% | +12.4% |
| 07 | MillbraeCA | 23 | $4,081/mo | +13.4% | +18.5% |
| 08 | San MateoCA | 24 | $3,968/mo | +13.0% | +10.7% |
| 09 | Foster CityCA | 24 | $4,450/mo | +13.1% | +12.1% |
| 10 | SunnyvaleCA | 25 | $3,972/mo | +12.4% | +10.4% |
| 11 | Mountain ViewCA | 25 | $4,535/mo | +12.4% | +10.2% |
| 12 | San BrunoCA | 26 | $3,346/mo | +11.8% | +10.1% |
| 13 | PacificaCA | 27 | $3,594/mo | +11.4% | +9.9% |
| 14 | Redwood CityCA | 28 | $4,301/mo | +11.1% | +9.3% |
| 15 | CupertinoCA | 29 | $4,307/mo | +10.4% | +9.0% |
| 16 | Daly CityCA | 30 | $3,046/mo | +10.2% | +11.0% |
| 17 | San CarlosCA | 30 | $4,248/mo | +9.9% | +7.7% |
| 18 | Santa ClaraCA | 32 | $3,958/mo | +8.9% | +8.2% |
| 19 | MilpitasCA | 35 | $3,614/mo | +7.5% | +10.1% |
| 20 | Rowland HeightsCA | 35 | $2,421/mo | +7.3% | +17.7% |
| 21 | Los GatosCA | 35 | $4,004/mo | +7.3% | +7.9% |
| 22 | San JoseCA | 37 | $3,582/mo | +6.5% | +7.7% |
| 23 | San Juan CapistranoCA | 37 | $4,164/mo | +6.5% | +8.6% |
| 24 | CampbellCA | 38 | $3,433/mo | +5.8% | +7.7% |
| 25 | AdelantoCA | 41 | $2,008/mo | +4.6% | +8.5% |
| 26 | OrangevaleCA | 41 | $2,220/mo | +4.3% | +6.7% |
| 27 | Manhattan BeachCA | 41 | $6,406/mo | +4.5% | +9.8% |
| 28 | Union CityCA | 42 | $2,913/mo | +4.2% | +7.7% |
| 29 | FremontCA | 43 | $3,388/mo | +3.4% | +6.2% |
| 30 | PleasantonCA | 43 | $3,175/mo | +3.5% | +7.3% |
| 31 | BerkeleyCA | 44 | $2,853/mo | +3.2% | +3.4% |
| 32 | DublinCA | 44 | $3,325/mo | +2.9% | +6.3% |
| 33 | Castro ValleyCA | 44 | $3,011/mo | +3.0% | +7.8% |
| 34 | Twentynine PalmsCA | 44 | $1,494/mo | +3.1% | +5.2% |
| 35 | La MiradaCA | 46 | $3,191/mo | +1.8% | +4.4% |
| 36 | NewarkCA | 46 | $3,670/mo | +2.0% | +4.8% |
| 37 | San RamonCA | 47 | $3,121/mo | +1.5% | +6.4% |
| 38 | LakewoodCA | 47 | $3,401/mo | +1.4% | +5.8% |
| 39 | AlamedaCA | 47 | $2,876/mo | +1.5% | +6.0% |
| 40 | RosemontCA | 47 | $1,996/mo | +1.6% | +2.3% |
| 41 | Walnut CreekCA | 48 | $2,924/mo | +0.9% | +5.1% |
| 42 | GilroyCA | 48 | $3,099/mo | +1.1% | +3.8% |
| 43 | ColtonCA | 48 | $1,929/mo | +0.8% | +2.8% |
| 44 | Pleasant HillCA | 48 | $3,042/mo | +0.8% | +6.4% |
| 45 | BarstowCA | 48 | $1,467/mo | +1.1% | +7.5% |
| 46 | South Lake TahoeCA | 48 | $2,377/mo | +0.9% | +6.3% |
| 47 | Hermosa BeachCA | 48 | $3,970/mo | +0.9% | +9.0% |
| 48 | PerrisCA | 49 | $2,846/mo | +0.5% | +4.5% |
| 49 | San RafaelCA | 49 | $3,166/mo | +0.4% | +4.0% |
| 50 | Cathedral CityCA | 49 | $2,343/mo | +0.6% | +7.7% |