Least Expensive Metros for Rent in California — FY2026

U.S. metro areas with the lowest HUD 2-bedroom Fair Market Rents in California. Lowest 2-bedroom FMR first, based on official HUD data. · View national rankings →

Most Expensive Metros for Rent Least Expensive Metros for Rent Biggest Rent Increases Highest Income Limits
# Metro Area State Studio 2BR 4BR
1 El Centro, CA MSA CA $939 $1,362 $2,285
2 Madera County, CA HUD Metro FMR Area CA $1,055 $1,376 $2,275
3 Hanford-Corcoran, CA MSA CA $1,150 $1,469 $2,451
4 Visalia-Porterville, CA MSA CA $1,116 $1,474 $2,393
5 Bakersfield, CA MSA CA $1,132 $1,483 $2,488
6 Merced, CA MSA CA $1,116 $1,503 $2,503
7 Yuba City, CA MSA CA $1,166 $1,550 $2,600
8 Redding, CA MSA CA $1,172 $1,590 $2,667
9 Chico, CA MSA CA $1,155 $1,625 $2,726
10 Fresno, CA MSA CA $1,347 $1,664 $2,660
11 Stockton-Lodi, CA MSA CA $1,288 $1,742 $2,922
12 Modesto, CA MSA CA $1,255 $1,758 $2,823
13 Yolo, CA HUD Metro FMR Area CA $1,604 $2,104 $3,178
14 Vallejo-Fairfield, CA MSA CA $1,567 $2,178 $3,297
15 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA MSA CA $1,692 $2,201 $3,514
16 Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA HUD Metro FMR Area CA $1,748 $2,255 $3,460
17 San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA MSA CA $1,842 $2,671 $4,105
18 Salinas, CA MSA CA $2,173 $2,684 $3,945
19 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA MSA CA $1,998 $2,693 $4,240
20 Santa Rosa, CA MSA CA $1,949 $2,827 $4,147
21 San Benito County, CA HUD Metro FMR Area CA $2,205 $2,902 $4,190
22 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA HUD Metro FMR Area CA $2,079 $2,903 $4,098
23 Oakland-Fremont, CA HUD Metro FMR Area CA $2,142 $2,912 $4,413
24 San Diego-Carlsbad, CA MSA CA $2,288 $3,001 $4,845
25 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA MSA CA $2,459 $3,124 $4,647
26 Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA HUD Metro FMR Area CA $2,682 $3,236 $5,246
27 Napa, CA MSA CA $2,286 $3,315 $4,942
28 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA HUD Metro FMR Area CA $2,621 $3,483 $5,010
29 San Francisco, CA HUD Metro FMR Area CA $2,485 $3,604 $4,772
30 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA CA $3,179 $4,214 $5,659