Rent falling fastest in California
Cities in California with the largest year-over-year rent decreases. Cities with 15,000+ residents. Updated monthly.
Key findings
- Seal Beach ranks first, with -4.8% over the past year.
- Across all 14 cities on this list, the median rent is $2,822/mo.
- Seal Beach moved from #13 to #1 compared with a year ago.
Data as of September 2026. Change in Zillow's rent index over the past 12 months. Rank a year ago uses the change over the 12 months before that. 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
14 cities
| Rank | City | 1-yr change | Median rent | 5-yr change | Vs. a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Seal BeachCA | -4.8% | $2,935/mo | -- | ↑12 from #13 |
| 02 | DuarteCA | -1.4% | $2,779/mo | -- | ↑6 from #8 |
| 03 | WatsonvilleCA | -1.3% | $3,332/mo | -- | ↓1 from #2 |
| 04 | Imperial BeachCA | -1.3% | $2,822/mo | +24.8% | ↑5 from #9 |
| 05 | OlivehurstCA | -1.0% | $2,235/mo | -- | -- |
| 06 | Yuba CityCA | -0.8% | $1,993/mo | -- | ↑1 from #7 |
| 07 | Temple CityCA | -0.8% | $3,298/mo | -- | ↑5 from #12 |
| 08 | HemetCA | -0.5% | $1,839/mo | +19.9% | ↓4 from #4 |
| 09 | LafayetteCA | -0.3% | $3,372/mo | +8.2% | ↑1 from #10 |
| 10 | BeniciaCA | -0.2% | $2,455/mo | +12.9% | ↓7 from #3 |
| 11 | Santa ClaritaCA | -0.1% | $2,783/mo | +17.3% | ↓5 from #6 |
| 12 | AntelopeCA | -0.1% | $2,389/mo | +7.3% | ↓11 from #1 |
| 13 | Hacienda HeightsCA | -0.1% | $3,538/mo | +30.6% | ↓8 from #5 |
| 14 | MonroviaCA | -0.1% | $2,822/mo | +21.1% | ↓3 from #11 |