If you’re looking for a rental deal, tenants can find discounts in 60% of Southern California cities.
My trusty spreadsheet reviewed June’s rent report from ApartmentList, which tracks renter costs in 53 cities across the region, with cost estimates that combine government statistics and listing data from its own website.
Here’s what the math shows: landlords trimmed rents in 32 out of the 53 cities. Rents rose in 20 cities and were unchanged in one city, Vista.
Across the region, the typical rent dropped 0.4% over the past year. Median rents now sit at $1,921 for a one-bedroom and $2,359 for a two-bedroom.
You see, many landlords across Southern California are squeezed.
The economy is cooling, population is stagnant, and a modest construction boom is adding more apartments. So there are more units to fill and less demand from renters.
These rent numbers also parallel a clear divide in the 2026 economy: people with higher incomes are doing better, while those with tighter budgets are still struggling.
In the 32 cities where rents went down, a typical one-bedroom costs $1,828 and a two-bedroom is $2,262.
Note that in 20 cities where rents rose, prices are significantly higher: one-bedrooms went for $2,146, while two-bedrooms cost $2,654.
Market math
Next, look at how prices swung across the region at the metro area level, ranked by the frequency of rent cuts over the past year:
– Ventura County: 80% of cities had declines – 4 of 5 – with a median dip of 1.5% for rents running $2,136 monthly for one bedrooms and $2,571 for two.
– Los Angeles County: 79% declines – 11 of 14 cities – with a median dip of 2.2% and $1,847 for one bedrooms and $2,370 for two.
– San Diego County: 63% declines – 5 of 8 cities – with a median dip of 0.4% and $1,878 for one bedrooms and $2,253 for two.
– Inland Empire: 54% declines – 7 of 13 cities – with a median dip of 0.2% and $1,720 for one bedrooms and $1,959 for two.
– Orange County: 38% declines – 5 of 13 cities– with a median increase of 0.9% and $2,340 for one bedrooms and $2,747 for two.
City swings
The cities with the biggest rent swings give us more clues about where to find a bargain.
The deepest rent cuts are showing up in Los Angeles and Ventura counties:
– Santa Monica: Off 6% in a year with $2,215 for one bedrooms and $2,656 for two.
– Pomona: Off 5% with $1,515 for one bedrooms and $1,912 for two.
– Pasadena: Off 5% with $2,110 for one bedrooms and $2,715 for two.
– Oxnard: Off 4% with $1,815 for one bedrooms and $2,047 for two.
– Monrovia: Off 4% with $1,712 for one bedrooms and $2,252 for two.
On the flip side, the biggest rent hikes are popping up in the Inland Empire and Orange County.
– Chino: Up 4% in a year with $1,720 for one bedrooms and $2,204 for two.
– Colton: Up 3% with $1,407 for one bedrooms and $1,737 for two.
– Newport Beach: Up 3% with $2,836 for one bedrooms and $3,522 for two.
– Mission Viejo: Up 3% with $2,413 for one bedrooms and $2,902 for two.
– Moreno Valley: Up 2% with $1,632 for one bedrooms and $1,856 for two.
Jonathan Lansner is the business columnist for the Southern California News Group. He can be reached at jlansner@scng.com
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