Generation X members seeking to spend a year in California should start saving, especially if their income falls below the median salary. The state’s rental costs could be quite surprising.

GOBankingRates recently studied rental prices in major U.S. cities, highlighting that California lacks any cities in the cheapest 40 for rent. Out of 16 California cities reviewed, only five have average monthly rents below $2,000. Nonetheless, median incomes generally make these rents manageable.

Cost of Living by City: California’s Average Rent Rankings

Here are the average monthly rents from most to least expensive across California’s 16 cities.

Red rooftops in Irvine, CA.

1. Irvine

Average monthly rent: $2,986
1 bedroom average rent: $2,534
2 bedroom average rent: $3,106
Total cost of living (monthly): $5,090
Median household income: $122,948

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San Jose is the economic, cultural and political center of Silicon Valley.

2. San Jose

Average monthly rent: $2,679
1 bedroom average rent: $2,331
2 bedroom average rent: $2,766
Total cost of living (monthly): $5,117
Median household income: $136,010

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Aerial view of a residential neighborhood in Fremont, California.

3. Fremont

Average monthly rent: $2,626
1 bedroom average rent: $2,183
2 bedroom average rent: $2,645
Total cost of living (monthly): $4,955
Median household income: $169,023

Cable Car on California Street in San Francisco.

4. San Francisco

Average monthly rent: $2,620
1 bedroom average rent: $2,645
2 bedroom average rent: $3,135
Total cost of living (monthly): $5,157
Median household income: $136,689

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Aerial view of suburbia in Southern California.

5. Santa Clarita

Average monthly rent: $2,470
1 bedroom average rent: $2,007
2 bedroom average rent: $2,442
Total cost of living (monthly): $4,637
Median household income: $116,186

Chula Vista, California.

6. Chula Vista

Average monthly rent: $2,360
1 bedroom average rent: $1,734
2 bedroom average rent: $2,269
Total cost of living (monthly): $4,567
Median household income: $101,984

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Harbor view of downtown San Diego.

7. San Diego

Average monthly rent: $2,274
1 bedroom average rent: $1,938
2 bedroom average rent: $2,429
Total cost of living (monthly): $4,445
Median household income: $98,657

Anaheim, California skyline.

8. Anaheim

Average monthly rent: $2,271
1 bedroom average rent: $1,948
2 bedroom average rent: $2,404
Total cost of living (monthly): $4,397
Median household income: $88,538

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Rent Prices and Living Costs in California’s Major Cities

9. Santa Ana: A Breakdown of Living Expenses

Average monthly rent: $2,215
1 bedroom average rent: $1,942
2 bedroom average rent: $2,290
Total cost of living (monthly): $4,309
Median household income: $84,210

10. Los Angeles: Major City, Major Costs

Average monthly rent: $2,067
1 bedroom average rent: $1,849
2 bedroom average rent: $2,357
Total cost of living (monthly): $4,426
Median household income: $76,244

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11. Oakland: Keeping Up with the Bay Area

Average monthly rent: $2,021
1 bedroom average rent: $1,850
2 bedroom average rent: $2,220
Total cost of living (monthly): $4,324
Median household income: $94,389

12. Moreno Valley: Rising Costs and Income

Average monthly rent: $1,897
1 bedroom average rent: $1,568
2 bedroom average rent: $1,784
Total cost of living (monthly): $4,187
Median household income: $82,637

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13. Riverside: Scenic Views and Living Costs

Average monthly rent: $1,783
1 bedroom average rent: $1,478
2 bedroom average rent: $1,776
Total cost of living (monthly): $4,029
Median household income: $83,448

14. Long Beach: Coastal Living and Financials

Average monthly rent: $1,737
1 bedroom average rent: $1,552
2 bedroom average rent: $1,901
Total cost of living (monthly): $4,039
Median household income: $78,995

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15. Sacramento: A Capital’s Cost of Living

Average monthly rent: $1,643
1 bedroom average rent: $1,347
2 bedroom average rent: $1,702
Total cost of living (monthly): $3,830
Median household income: $78,954

16. Fresno: Affordability Amidst Rising Prices

Average monthly rent: $1,326
1 bedroom average rent: $1,050
2 bedroom average rent: $1,295
Total cost of living (monthly): $3,359
Median household income: $63,001

Methodology: This analysis from GOBankingRates focused on average costs of rent and living in major U.S. cities, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Sperling’s BestPlaces, ApartmentList, Zillow, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data was last updated on September 13, 2024.

Additional Insights from GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Earnings vs. Costs: Rent in 16 California Cities

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Nasdaq, Inc.

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