The Best Cities for Renters in California

Popular for its cliff-lined beaches, entertainment hubs, tech hotspots, and Sierra Nevada mountains, California has become the new favorite for moving in, especially for renters. However, selecting one city that suits you best might be difficult with so many cities in the state. Thus, select a city based on your lifestyle and budgetary considerations.

Also, if you look at the current rental market in California, it is highly competitive, with a median rent of $2917 at an average monthly increase of $7. The data highlights how daunting it might get to move to California today. But if you consider the following curated guide on different cities in California, your rental search will surely be a cakewalk.

1. Los Angeles

Being one of the most famous cities in California, Los Angeles is the entertainment capital. Apart from that, it has ample rental opportunities if you are searching for rooms for rent in Los Angeles. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is around $2,180. Also, Los Angeles has some of the most notable employers, including healthcare facilities, technology companies, and the University of South California. The ethnic landscape of the city boasts unique neighborhoods, making it one of the most desirable cities to rent in the state.

2. San Francisco

San Francisco is a hub of all the amenities required for a comfortable life. From parks to beaches and reputed companies offering employment opportunities, the city is home to some of the finest tourist attractions in the world. Every resident has a park within a 10-minute walking distance and a transit shop within a quarter mile of their house. The rooms for rent in San Francisco are available at a median charge of around $2,546. Along with beautiful parks and beaches for recreational activities, San Francisco offers excellent bike infrastructure for cyclists and biking enthusiasts, making transport easy.

3. San Diego

Who wouldn’t want to live in San Diego? A city popular for offering a renter their dream apartment, San Diego has everything, from excellent metropolis infrastructure to Pacific Ocean views, beautiful weather, and many recreational activities. The city’s nightlife is vibrant, with nightclubs and bars located Downtown. The city offers great work opportunities and rental apartments, with a median rent for a two-bedroom apartment at $2,500. Also, art buffs can explore the San Diego Museum of Art. Thus, in this city, you will never run out of things to do.

4. Sacramento

With its exponential development rate, the city of Sacramento allures individuals from across the globe with its many renowned universities and financial center status. Sacramento has it all, whether you are a person who likes to live in a city with a hipster, urban, artsy, or modern vibe. The average rent charged for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,620. Often overlooked compared to other state cities, Sacramento offers excellent infrastructure, employment opportunities, and education facilities.

5. Santa Cruz

If you love outdoor sports or are a water sports enthusiast, renting an apartment in the beach town of Santa Cruz would be a dream come true. Here, get ready to explore various water sports, including kayaking, surfing, swimming, etc. Also, you have excellent infrastructure for biking and skateboarding. The city has major employment opportunities in agriculture, technology, and education. But, when it comes to renting, you might have to pay an average rent of $2,895.

6. Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara offers the best employment opportunities in various sectors, including aerospace and defense companies, government centers, etc. Also, the public transportation infrastructure in the city is commendable, making traveling for work and daily commutes much easier. The city also has a unique cultural vibe, has many recreational outdoor activities, and has a thriving arts scene. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the city would cost you around $2,858.

7. Santa Monica

Santa Monica will be the perfect choice if you are looking forward to starting your career, as it is home to several start-ups and industry giants. The city is home to several media giants, including the Universal Music Group, Lionsgate Films, etc. Apart from this, the beachfront city has many recreational offerings, never letting you have a boring day. Considering the rental charge, a two-bedroom apartment’s median rent is about $2,568.

8. San Jose

Popular as Silicon Valley, San Jose offers exciting job opportunities and a high living cost. If you are considering moving to this city, you might need to move in with a roommate until you are financially stable. Graduating students can find excellent internship programs with companies like Zoom, Samsung, etc. The city’s nightlife is vibrant, with impressive nightclubs, bars, and bistros for those seeking fun after a hard day at work. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in this city would be around $2,487.

9. Newport Beach

Being known as the safest city in California, Newport Beach is perfect to move in with families. The city has a sunny weather and offers several outdoor activities. You can enjoy beautiful sunsets throughout the year and at the same time can visit the city’s major attractions. Regarding renting opportunities, this city is expensive, with a two-bedroom apartment’s rent being around $3,253.

10. Stockton

Being one of the most affordable places to live in California, Stockton city is usually considered by those wanting to work in cities like San Francisco, San Jose, or Sacramento. The city is a unique blend of various communities, allowing you to enjoy a vibrant cultural landscape. The city is also surrounded by local organic produce and vineyards. Considering the rent in this city, a two-bedroom apartment would cost you a median rent of $1,612.

Conclusion

If you are considering shifting to California, look at the mentioned details of the top 10 cities in the state. Every city has a unique offering concerning employment, recreational facilities, public transportation, or rental opportunities. However, it is mostly observed that the demand is quite high for rooms for rent in Los Angeles, which is the hub of entertainment and enticing job opportunities. Demand also seems high for rooms for rent in San Francisco, owing to a comfortable life. But, in the end, the ball is in your court to select an apt city to rent in California.