Where rent has outpaced income in California since 2019
California cities ranked by rent growth minus household income growth from 2019 to 2024 (Zillow yearly average rent, Census 5-year income). Cities with 15,000+ residents.
Key findings
- Laguna Beach ranks first, with rent up 48.5% against household income up 10.7% since 2019.
- Across all 173 cities on this list, the median rent is $2,822/mo.
Data as of September 2026. Change in Zillow's yearly average rent from 2019 to 2024, minus the change in Census median household income over the same years. 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
173 cities
| Rank | City | Gap (points) | Rent since 2019 | Income since 2019 | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Laguna BeachCA | +37.9 | +48.5% | +10.7% | $5,519/mo |
| 02 | La QuintaCA | +35.1 | +62.7% | +27.5% | $3,617/mo |
| 03 | Apple ValleyCA | +30.6 | +58.8% | +28.2% | $1,899/mo |
| 04 | Diamond BarCA | +30.2 | +39.5% | +9.3% | $3,294/mo |
| 05 | CoronadoCA | +29.2 | +52.6% | +23.5% | $5,122/mo |
| 06 | Palm DesertCA | +26.6 | +55.9% | +29.2% | $2,749/mo |
| 07 | Palm SpringsCA | +24.3 | +61.1% | +36.8% | $2,067/mo |
| 08 | Newport BeachCA | +23.0 | +46.3% | +23.3% | $4,364/mo |
| 09 | El CajonCA | +22.5 | +44.5% | +22.1% | $2,259/mo |
| 10 | PalmdaleCA | +22.4 | +52.4% | +30.1% | $2,780/mo |
| 11 | BakersfieldCA | +22.2 | +49.7% | +27.6% | $1,901/mo |
| 12 | Chino HillsCA | +19.0 | +37.8% | +18.8% | $3,085/mo |
| 13 | AntelopeCA | +18.3 | +40.7% | +22.3% | $2,389/mo |
| 14 | San ClementeCA | +18.2 | +45.1% | +26.8% | $3,411/mo |
| 15 | GlendoraCA | +17.5 | +35.6% | +18.1% | $2,950/mo |
| 16 | VisaliaCA | +16.9 | +48.5% | +31.7% | $1,839/mo |
| 17 | ClovisCA | +16.1 | +43.5% | +27.4% | $2,381/mo |
| 18 | Fountain ValleyCA | +15.6 | +39.4% | +23.8% | $2,998/mo |
| 19 | AzusaCA | +15.6 | +48.6% | +33.0% | $2,532/mo |
| 20 | MurrietaCA | +15.4 | +41.4% | +26.0% | $2,650/mo |
| 21 | Lake ForestCA | +14.8 | +38.3% | +23.5% | $3,166/mo |
| 22 | VictorvilleCA | +14.7 | +52.6% | +37.9% | $2,248/mo |
| 23 | TemeculaCA | +14.6 | +40.4% | +25.9% | $2,946/mo |
| 24 | Hacienda HeightsCA | +14.2 | +41.2% | +27.0% | $3,538/mo |
| 25 | DowneyCA | +14.2 | +33.7% | +19.5% | $2,257/mo |
| 26 | CarlsbadCA | +13.8 | +43.0% | +29.2% | $3,531/mo |
| 27 | MenifeeCA | +13.8 | +46.8% | +33.1% | $2,945/mo |
| 28 | VistaCA | +13.8 | +45.4% | +31.7% | $2,726/mo |
| 29 | Rancho CucamongaCA | +13.0 | +36.0% | +23.0% | $2,786/mo |
| 30 | ChinoCA | +12.3 | +40.4% | +28.1% | $3,286/mo |
| 31 | Hermosa BeachCA | +12.2 | +33.9% | +21.8% | $3,970/mo |
| 32 | Rancho Santa MargaritaCA | +11.6 | +37.6% | +26.1% | $2,849/mo |
| 33 | SanteeCA | +11.4 | +41.6% | +30.2% | $2,829/mo |
| 34 | West CovinaCA | +11.0 | +32.9% | +21.9% | $2,552/mo |
| 35 | PomonaCA | +11.0 | +42.2% | +31.2% | $2,319/mo |
| 36 | HemetCA | +11.0 | +56.3% | +45.3% | $1,839/mo |
| 37 | CamarilloCA | +10.9 | +32.2% | +21.3% | $2,911/mo |
| 38 | WhittierCA | +10.9 | +36.7% | +25.8% | $2,402/mo |
| 39 | Chula VistaCA | +10.8 | +43.7% | +32.9% | $2,935/mo |
| 40 | El Dorado HillsCA | +10.3 | +30.3% | +20.1% | $3,070/mo |
| 41 | Aliso ViejoCA | +10.1 | +36.5% | +26.4% | $3,484/mo |
| 42 | Simi ValleyCA | +10.0 | +33.1% | +23.1% | $2,778/mo |
| 43 | RiversideCA | +10.0 | +41.9% | +31.9% | $2,427/mo |
| 44 | EncinitasCA | +9.6 | +49.5% | +39.8% | $4,340/mo |
| 45 | ArcadiaCA | +9.2 | +30.5% | +21.3% | $3,412/mo |
| 46 | Laguna NiguelCA | +9.2 | +38.6% | +29.4% | $3,343/mo |
| 47 | CoronaCA | +9.0 | +39.4% | +30.4% | $2,661/mo |
| 48 | NovatoCA | +8.9 | +23.1% | +14.2% | $3,969/mo |
| 49 | San BernardinoCA | +8.5 | +55.6% | +47.1% | $1,971/mo |
| 50 | OceansideCA | +8.3 | +42.7% | +34.4% | $2,910/mo |