Most Expensive Metros for Rent in California — FY2026

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