Record-high rent in California
Cities in California where this month's typical rent is the highest in Zillow's records for that city, fastest-rising first. Cities with 15,000+ residents.
Key findings
- San Francisco ranks first, with a median rent of $4,784/mo.
- Across all 176 cities on this list, the median rent is $2,882/mo.
Data as of September 2026. Cities whose rent this month is the highest in at least three years of Zillow's rent index for that city. 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
176 cities
| Rank | City | Median rent | 1-yr change | 5-yr change | Rent/income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | San FranciscoCA | $4,784/mo | +26.3% | +47.1% | 40.7% |
| 02 | Los AltosCA | $6,886/mo | +19.3% | +43.7% | 33.1% |
| 03 | South San FranciscoCA | $4,141/mo | +19.2% | +32.4% | 36.4% |
| 04 | MillbraeCA | $4,081/mo | +18.5% | +34.2% | 30.0% |
| 05 | Rowland HeightsCA | $2,421/mo | +17.7% | +33.5% | 33.9% |
| 06 | BurlingameCA | $4,119/mo | +13.6% | +31.8% | 28.4% |
| 07 | BelmontCA | $3,798/mo | +12.4% | +31.6% | 22.2% |
| 08 | Foster CityCA | $4,450/mo | +12.1% | +32.7% | 26.8% |
| 09 | Daly CityCA | $3,046/mo | +11.0% | +25.2% | 29.6% |
| 10 | Menlo ParkCA | $4,277/mo | +10.8% | +32.0% | 24.4% |
| 11 | San MateoCA | $3,968/mo | +10.7% | +28.7% | 31.0% |
| 12 | OaklandCA | $2,758/mo | +10.7% | +13.4% | 32.6% |
| 13 | SunnyvaleCA | $3,972/mo | +10.4% | +30.1% | 25.6% |
| 14 | Mountain ViewCA | $4,535/mo | +10.2% | +26.9% | 28.7% |
| 15 | San BrunoCA | $3,346/mo | +10.1% | +27.1% | 28.4% |
| 16 | MilpitasCA | $3,614/mo | +10.1% | +25.5% | 24.3% |
| 17 | Palo AltoCA | $4,558/mo | +10.0% | +28.4% | 23.7% |
| 18 | PacificaCA | $3,594/mo | +9.9% | +24.8% | 26.9% |
| 19 | Manhattan BeachCA | $6,406/mo | +9.8% | +39.3% | 37.6% |
| 20 | Redwood CityCA | $4,301/mo | +9.3% | +25.0% | 32.7% |
| 21 | CupertinoCA | $4,307/mo | +9.0% | +30.1% | 22.0% |
| 22 | Hermosa BeachCA | $3,970/mo | +9.0% | +36.2% | 28.6% |
| 23 | FallbrookCA | $2,915/mo | +8.7% | -- | 36.3% |
| 24 | San Juan CapistranoCA | $4,164/mo | +8.6% | -- | 38.6% |
| 25 | AdelantoCA | $2,008/mo | +8.5% | -- | 35.1% |
| 26 | Santa ClaraCA | $3,958/mo | +8.2% | +29.7% | 26.5% |
| 27 | Los GatosCA | $4,004/mo | +7.9% | +30.3% | 22.1% |
| 28 | Castro ValleyCA | $3,011/mo | +7.8% | +18.2% | 25.3% |
| 29 | Newport BeachCA | $4,364/mo | +7.8% | +32.2% | 33.4% |
| 30 | SaratogaCA | $6,140/mo | +7.8% | +30.0% | 29.5% |
| 31 | East Los AngelesCA | $2,125/mo | +7.8% | -- | 37.1% |
| 32 | San JoseCA | $3,582/mo | +7.7% | +25.0% | 29.4% |
| 33 | CampbellCA | $3,433/mo | +7.7% | +24.5% | 28.4% |
| 34 | San CarlosCA | $4,248/mo | +7.7% | +28.4% | 21.5% |
| 35 | Cathedral CityCA | $2,343/mo | +7.7% | +25.9% | 38.2% |
| 36 | Union CityCA | $2,913/mo | +7.7% | +20.5% | 26.1% |
| 37 | HerculesCA | $3,209/mo | +7.7% | -- | 29.8% |
| 38 | BarstowCA | $1,467/mo | +7.5% | -- | 33.0% |
| 39 | Laguna NiguelCA | $3,343/mo | +7.5% | +25.4% | 28.6% |
| 40 | PleasantonCA | $3,175/mo | +7.3% | +16.5% | 20.0% |
| 41 | Laguna BeachCA | $5,519/mo | +7.0% | +34.6% | 46.0% |
| 42 | MontclairCA | $2,895/mo | +7.0% | +49.8% | 44.7% |
| 43 | PetalumaCA | $2,869/mo | +6.9% | +21.3% | 29.8% |
| 44 | El Dorado HillsCA | $3,070/mo | +6.9% | +19.4% | 22.3% |
| 45 | OrangevaleCA | $2,220/mo | +6.7% | -- | 26.7% |
| 46 | LawndaleCA | $2,692/mo | +6.7% | +29.7% | 37.8% |
| 47 | Pleasant HillCA | $3,042/mo | +6.4% | +17.5% | 25.2% |
| 48 | San RamonCA | $3,121/mo | +6.4% | +16.0% | 19.1% |
| 49 | Dana PointCA | $4,323/mo | +6.3% | +32.3% | 36.7% |
| 50 | DublinCA | $3,325/mo | +6.3% | +14.1% | 18.6% |