The Five Most Expensive Cities in California for Rent in August 2023

Posted by:Aleksandr Belov Posted on:Aug 4,2023

Renting a place to live in California can be quite costly, especially in certain cities where the demand for housing is high and the supply is limited. According to the website Zumper, here are the five most expensive cities in California for studio and apartment rentals in August 2023.

1. San Francisco, CA
San Francisco tops the list as the most expensive city for rentals in California. The average rent for a studio apartment in San Francisco is $2,190, making it the highest in the state. A one-bedroom apartment will cost around $3,000 per month, while a two-bedroom will set you back approximately $4,100 per month. If you’re looking for a more spacious three-bedroom apartment, be prepared to pay an average of $5,100 per month.

2. San Jose, CA
Coming in second is San Jose, where the average rent for a studio apartment is $2,350. A one-bedroom apartment in this Silicon Valley city will cost around $2,610 per month, while a two-bedroom will set you back approximately $3,220 per month. For those in need of a larger living space, a three-bedroom apartment in San Jose has an average rent of $3,980.

3. San Diego, CA
San Diego, known for its beautiful beaches and perfect weather, is the third most expensive city for rentals in California. The average rent for a studio apartment in San Diego is $1,995. A one-bedroom apartment will cost you around $2,410 per month, while a two-bedroom will set you back approximately $3,300 per month. The average rent for a three-bedroom apartment in San Diego is $4,200.

4. Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, is also known for its high rental prices. The average rent for a studio apartment in Los Angeles is $1,800. A one-bedroom apartment will cost you around $2,400 per month, while a two-bedroom will set you back approximately $3,390 per month. If you’re looking for a more spacious three-bedroom apartment in the city of angels, be prepared to pay an average of $4,800 per month.

5. Oakland, CA
Rounding out the list is Oakland, where the average rent for a studio apartment is $1,745. A one-bedroom apartment in Oakland will cost you around $2,190 per month, while a two-bedroom will set you back approximately $2,740 per month. If you’re in need of a three-bedroom apartment, the average rent in Oakland is $3,400.

Table with rental prices in August 2023 in the five most expensive cities in California:

CityStudioOne-bedroomTwo-bedroomThree-bedroom
San Francisco$2,190$3,000$4,100$5,100
San Jose$2,350$2,610$3,220$3,980
San Diego$1,995$2,410$3,300$4,200
Los Angeles$1,800$2,400$3,390$4,800
Oakland$1,750$2,190$2,740$3,400

So, what are the reasons behind the high rental prices in these cities? One major factor is the high demand for housing. Cities like San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles are major hubs for technology and entertainment industries, attracting a large number of people who are willing to pay a premium for housing. Additionally, these cities have limited space for new construction, causing a shortage of available housing units. The combination of high demand and limited supply drives up the rental prices.

In conclusion, if you’re planning to rent a place in California, be prepared to spend a significant amount of money, especially in cities like San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Oakland. The high rental prices in these cities are a result of the high demand for housing and limited availability of units.


Aleksandr Belov

Author and editor of the ultramodern-hotels.com blog