Average Rent In California For December 2020

By Chris Kolmar | HomeSnacks | Updated: 2020-12-07
$2,800
Average Rent
$2.015
Average $/sqft

What is the average rent in California?

According to the most recent data from Zillow, the average rent in California for December 2020 is $2,800. With an averge apartment size of 1,389 sqft, the average price per square foot in California is $2.015.

Compared to the national average of $1,650, California rent costs 69.7% more. Read our analysis of rents by state to see how California ranks.

Here's a look at how average rents have changed over time:

Best Places To Live In California

How Does California Rent Compare To The Rest Of The Country?

StatisticCAUSA% Difference
Average Rent $2,800$1,650 69.7%
Average $/sqft $2.015$1.135 77.5%
M-o-M Change $0$0 nan%
Y-o-Y Change $50$5 900.0%
M-o-M % Change 0.0%0.0% -
Y-o-Y % Change 1.8%0.3% -

Median Rent By Bedrooms In California

$1,950
Studio
$2,100
1-Bedroom
$2,495
2-Bedroom
$2,895
3-Bedroom
$3,150
4-Bedroom

As you would expect, the median price for rent in California increases as the number of bedrooms in the unit increases. Studios rent the cheapest in California clocking in at $1,950, while a four bedroom rental will set you back $3,150 per month.

We think the best deal comes in the form of a two bedroom for $2,495 per month, however, if you don't mind having roommates, the best option on a per room basis is a 4-bedroom rental for $787/room/month.

Read on to find out more or for more on California check out:

Month Over Month California Rent Statistics

$0
M-o-M Increase
0.0%
M-o-M Increase

California has experienced a $0 change in rent over the past month going from $2,800 to $2,800. That change comes out to 0.0%.

For reference, the US national average rent changed $0 in the past month or 0.0%.

Here's a look at the month over month change for each month since 2010 for California:

Year Over Year California Rent Statistics

$50
Y-o-Y Increase
1.8%
Y-o-Y Increase

Over the past year, the average rent in California changed $50 from $2,750 to $2,800. A change of $50 means that rents changed 1.8% in a year.

That compares to the US national change of $5 in the past year or 0.3%.

Here's a look at the year over year change by month since 2011 for California:

The 10 Places With The Highest Rent In California

San Marino, CA

Population: 13,331
Median Rent: $3,746
More on San Marino: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Villa Park, CA

Population: 5,935
Median Rent: $3,746
More on Villa Park: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Atherton, CA
Source: Public domain

Population: 7,182
Median Rent: $3,746
More on Atherton: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Rolling Hills Estates, CA

Population: 8,229
Median Rent: $3,372
More on Rolling Hills Estates: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Hillsborough, CA

Population: 11,436
Median Rent: $3,158
More on Hillsborough: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Piedmont, CA

Population: 11,296
Median Rent: $3,134
More on Piedmont: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Los Altos, CA

Population: 30,527
Median Rent: $3,093
More on Los Altos: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Palos Verdes Estates, CA

Population: 13,591
Median Rent: $3,049
More on Palos Verdes Estates: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Cupertino, CA

Population: 60,687
Median Rent: $3,027
More on Cupertino: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Foster City, CA
Source: Public domain

Population: 33,529
Median Rent: $2,956
More on Foster City: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Learn More About Living In California

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn.

Average Rent By State

Enjoy The Snack?