Rent rising fastest in California
Cities in California with the largest year-over-year rent increases. Cities with 15,000+ residents. Updated monthly.
Key findings
- San Francisco ranks first, with +26.3% over the past year.
- Across all 273 cities on this list, the median rent is $2,780/mo.
- Rowland Heights moved from #260 to #6 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
273 cities
| Rank | City | 1-yr change | Median rent | 5-yr change | Vs. a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | San FranciscoCA | +26.3% | $4,784/mo | +47.1% | ↑2 from #3 |
| 02 | DixonCA | +20.8% | $3,009/mo | -- | -- |
| 03 | Los AltosCA | +19.3% | $6,886/mo | +43.7% | ↑57 from #60 |
| 04 | South San FranciscoCA | +19.2% | $4,141/mo | +32.4% | ↑162 from #166 |
| 05 | MillbraeCA | +18.5% | $4,081/mo | +34.2% | ↑238 from #243 |
| 06 | Rowland HeightsCA | +17.7% | $2,421/mo | +33.5% | ↑254 from #260 |
| 07 | BurlingameCA | +13.6% | $4,119/mo | +31.8% | ↑76 from #83 |
| 08 | BelmontCA | +12.4% | $3,798/mo | +31.6% | ↑61 from #69 |
| 09 | Foster CityCA | +12.1% | $4,450/mo | +32.7% | ↑9 from #18 |
| 10 | Daly CityCA | +11.0% | $3,046/mo | +25.2% | ↑76 from #86 |
| 11 | Menlo ParkCA | +10.8% | $4,277/mo | +32.0% | ↑27 from #38 |
| 12 | San MateoCA | +10.7% | $3,968/mo | +28.7% | ↑4 from #16 |
| 13 | OaklandCA | +10.7% | $2,758/mo | +13.4% | ↑49 from #62 |
| 14 | SunnyvaleCA | +10.4% | $3,972/mo | +30.1% | ↑15 from #29 |
| 15 | Mountain ViewCA | +10.2% | $4,535/mo | +26.9% | ↑37 from #52 |
| 16 | San BrunoCA | +10.1% | $3,346/mo | +27.1% | ↑49 from #65 |
| 17 | MilpitasCA | +10.1% | $3,614/mo | +25.5% | ↑79 from #96 |
| 18 | Palo AltoCA | +10.0% | $4,558/mo | +28.4% | ↑1 from #19 |
| 19 | PacificaCA | +9.9% | $3,594/mo | +24.8% | ↓2 from #17 |
| 20 | Manhattan BeachCA | +9.8% | $6,406/mo | +39.3% | ↓10 from #10 |
| 21 | Redwood CityCA | +9.3% | $4,301/mo | +25.0% | ↑30 from #51 |
| 22 | CupertinoCA | +9.0% | $4,307/mo | +30.1% | ↓10 from #12 |
| 23 | Hermosa BeachCA | +9.0% | $3,970/mo | +36.2% | ↑13 from #36 |
| 24 | LynwoodCA | +8.8% | $2,045/mo | -- | ↑209 from #233 |
| 25 | FallbrookCA | +8.7% | $2,915/mo | -- | ↑224 from #249 |
| 26 | San Juan CapistranoCA | +8.6% | $4,164/mo | -- | ↓3 from #23 |
| 27 | AdelantoCA | +8.5% | $2,008/mo | -- | ↓6 from #21 |
| 28 | Santa ClaraCA | +8.2% | $3,958/mo | +29.7% | ↑33 from #61 |
| 29 | Los GatosCA | +7.9% | $4,004/mo | +30.3% | ↑15 from #44 |
| 30 | Castro ValleyCA | +7.8% | $3,011/mo | +18.2% | ↑206 from #236 |
| 31 | Newport BeachCA | +7.8% | $4,364/mo | +32.2% | ↓6 from #25 |
| 32 | SaratogaCA | +7.8% | $6,140/mo | +30.0% | ↑128 from #160 |
| 33 | East Los AngelesCA | +7.8% | $2,125/mo | -- | ↑10 from #43 |
| 34 | San JoseCA | +7.7% | $3,582/mo | +25.0% | ↑79 from #113 |
| 35 | CampbellCA | +7.7% | $3,433/mo | +24.5% | ↑92 from #127 |
| 36 | San CarlosCA | +7.7% | $4,248/mo | +28.4% | ↓32 from #4 |
| 37 | Cathedral CityCA | +7.7% | $2,343/mo | +25.9% | ↑217 from #254 |
| 38 | Union CityCA | +7.7% | $2,913/mo | +20.5% | ↑51 from #89 |
| 39 | HerculesCA | +7.7% | $3,209/mo | -- | ↑75 from #114 |
| 40 | BarstowCA | +7.5% | $1,467/mo | -- | ↑130 from #170 |
| 41 | Laguna NiguelCA | +7.5% | $3,343/mo | +25.4% | ↑138 from #179 |
| 42 | PleasantonCA | +7.3% | $3,175/mo | +16.5% | ↑142 from #184 |
| 43 | UkiahCA | +7.3% | $1,921/mo | -- | -- |
| 44 | Laguna BeachCA | +7.0% | $5,519/mo | +34.6% | ↑36 from #80 |
| 45 | MontclairCA | +7.0% | $2,895/mo | +49.8% | ↑83 from #128 |
| 46 | TruckeeCA | +7.0% | $4,044/mo | -- | -- |
| 47 | PetalumaCA | +6.9% | $2,869/mo | +21.3% | ↑55 from #102 |
| 48 | El Dorado HillsCA | +6.9% | $3,070/mo | +19.4% | ↑179 from #227 |
| 49 | OrangevaleCA | +6.7% | $2,220/mo | -- | ↑60 from #109 |
| 50 | LawndaleCA | +6.7% | $2,692/mo | +29.7% | ↓2 from #48 |