Average Rent in Los Angeles by Neighborhood (2026)

A typical one-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles County rents for about $2,400 a month in late 2026, utilities included. A two-bedroom runs close to $3,000. Those are HUD’s benchmark rents for the year that began October 1, 2026, and they vary a lot by neighborhood. In South LA a one-bedroom benchmark sits near $1,900, while on the Westside it tops $3,600.

The figures below come from federal and city sources and are dated. For more local explainers, see our Los Angeles and California guides.

Average rent in Los Angeles in 2026

Every year the Department of Housing and Urban Development sets Fair Market Rents for voucher programs. They reflect what a modest, standard-quality unit costs for someone moving in now, including basic utilities. So they make a fair yardstick for a renter who is shopping today.

For fiscal year 2027, which started October 1, 2026, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale area figures are:

Unit size	HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027
Studio	$2,151
1 bedroom	$2,402
2 bedrooms	$2,964
3 bedrooms	$3,760
4 bedrooms	$4,208

The Census Bureau gives a lower number. Its survey puts the median gross rent in the City of Los Angeles at $1,933 for 2020-2024, according to Census QuickFacts. That figure includes every renter, even tenants who have stayed in rent-controlled units for decades. As a result, it understates what a new lease costs.

Rents are still climbing, but slowly. The BLS consumer price index for the Los Angeles area shows rent of primary residence up 3.2% in the year to September 2026. That is slower than general prices in the area, which rose 3.7%.

Rent by neighborhood

HUD also publishes Small Area Fair Market Rents for each ZIP code. They follow the same method, so they let you compare neighborhoods on equal terms. The table uses the FY2027 numbers for one ZIP code that covers most of each area.

Two cautions apply. First, ZIP codes and neighborhood names do not match exactly, so treat each row as a guide to the area. Second, HUD caps its ZIP figures at a ceiling. Several Westside ZIP codes, including Venice, Westwood, Brentwood and Beverly Hills, all land on the same $3,610 for a one-bedroom. Asking rents for new or renovated buildings there often run well above it.

Nearby cities

Many people who work in LA rent in a neighboring city. The same FY2027 ZIP-code data puts a one-bedroom at about $3,370 in central Santa Monica and $3,270 in West Hollywood. It is $3,150 in Culver City and $3,130 in central Pasadena. Glendale (91205) comes in at $2,600, downtown Long Beach at $2,640, Burbank (91502) at $2,490 and central Inglewood at $2,290.

What these numbers include

HUD figures are gross rents. That means they include basic utilities such as electricity, gas, water and trash, which tenants often pay separately. So a listing at $2,200 plus utilities may cost about the same as a HUD figure that sits a few hundred dollars higher.

They also describe a typical modest unit, not a luxury one. HUD sets them at the 40th percentile of recent rents, which means four in ten new leases cost less. Rents for brand-new buildings with a pool, a gym and a doorman sit well above these numbers. On the other hand, a room in a shared house can cost far less than any figure here.

Why rents differ so much across LA

Location to jobs and the coast drives most of the gap. The Westside sits near large employers, universities and the beach, so demand stays high. By contrast, South LA, Boyle Heights and the northeast San Fernando Valley have older housing and lower local incomes.

The age of the building matters too. In the City of Los Angeles, most apartments in buildings built before October 1978 fall under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Long-term tenants in those units often pay far less than market rent. Then, when a unit turns over, the landlord can reset it to market price. That is why a 1960s building and a new tower on the same street can differ by hundreds of dollars a month.

Finally, amenities add up. Parking, in-unit laundry, a gym and air conditioning are often built into the rent of newer buildings. Older units may lack them but charge less.

How much income you need to rent in Los Angeles

A common rule says rent should take no more than 30% of gross income. At the countywide one-bedroom benchmark of $2,402, that means earning about $96,000 a year. A two-bedroom at $2,964 points to roughly $119,000.

Compare that with the median household income in the City of Los Angeles, which the Census Bureau puts at $81,939 for 2020-2024. In practice, many households spend well over 30% on rent, share units or live farther from work.

Rent is only part of the picture. Our guide to the cost of living in Los Angeles adds food, transportation, health care and taxes to build a full monthly budget.

Rent increase limits and deposits in 2026

Once you sign, state and city rules limit how fast rent can rise. Which one applies depends on the building.

• Rent-stabilized units (City of LA): the yearly increase from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, is 3%, according to the Los Angeles Housing Department. Under a formula in effect since February 2026, future yearly increases will range from 1% to 4%.
• Most other apartments: the state’s rent cap allows 5% plus local inflation, but never more than 10%. For increases taking effect from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027, the Los Angeles-area limit is 8.7%.
• Exempt units: buildings finished within the last 15 years and many single-family homes owned by individuals are outside the state cap.

Security deposits are capped as well. Since July 1, 2024, most landlords may charge no more than one month’s rent. Small landlords who own no more than two properties with four units in total may still ask for two months.

Also, from January 1, 2026, a state law requires landlords to provide a working stove and refrigerator in rental units under new or renewed leases. It is worth checking before you sign.

Tips for finding a cheaper apartment

• Look one or two neighborhoods over. Moving from Venice to Mar Vista, or from Sherman Oaks to Van Nuys, can save several hundred dollars a month.
• Ask whether the unit is rent-stabilized. Your yearly increases will be smaller.
• Count the full cost, not just the rent. Parking, utilities and a longer commute can erase a lower price.
• Budget for a deposit and first month together. On a $2,400 unit, that is about $4,800 upfront.

Prices on everyday spending matter too. LA’s 10.25% rate is explained in our Los Angeles sales tax guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Los Angeles?

For a new lease, HUD’s FY2027 benchmark is $2,402 for a one-bedroom and $2,964 for a two-bedroom, utilities included. The Census median for all city renters is lower, at $1,933.

How much is rent in Los Angeles for a studio?

HUD’s countywide figure for a studio is $2,151 a month from October 2026. Studios in older buildings or outer neighborhoods can cost less.

What is the cheapest area to rent in Los Angeles?

Among city neighborhoods, South LA, Watts and Boyle Heights have the lowest HUD benchmarks, around $1,900 for a one-bedroom. Parts of the northeast San Fernando Valley are also below average.

Are Los Angeles rent prices going up?

Yes, but slowly. The BLS measure of rent in the Los Angeles area rose 3.2% in the year to September 2026, below the 3.7% rise in general prices.

How much can my landlord raise rent in LA?

For rent-stabilized units in the city, 3% between July 2026 and June 2027. For most other apartments, up to 8.7% for increases starting August 2026 to July 2027.

Have a question about this topic? Ask in the comments below. Our editors read every comment and answer questions here, and we add useful answers to the guide.

Sources

1. huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr/smallarea/index.html
2. huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr/fmr2027/FY27_safmrs.xlsx
3. huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr.html
4. huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr/fmr2027/FY27_FMRs.xlsx
5. census.gov/quickfacts/losangelescitycalifornia
6. bls.gov/regions/west/news-release/consumerpriceindex_losangeles.htm
7. housing.lacity.gov/renter-protections-2
8. housing.lacity.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Allowable-Rent-Increase-Bulle…
9. dcba.lacounty.gov/portfolio/rent-increases
10. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml
11. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml