Average Rent in Los Angeles 2026
Los Angeles Rent Prices by Bedroom
1 Bedroom
$2,400
per month
2 Bedrooms
$3,200
per month
3 Bedrooms
$4,000
per month
Monthly Housing Cost Breakdown in Los Angeles
Rent is only part of your monthly housing cost. Here is what the average Los Angeles renter pays when you add utilities, internet, and renters insurance to rent.
| Expense | 1-Bedroom | 2-Bedroom | 3-Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $2,400 | $3,200 | $4,000 |
| Utilities (electric, gas, water, trash) | $160 | $200 | $240 |
| Internet | $70 | $70 | $70 |
| Renters insurance | $20 | $23 | $26 |
| Total monthly | $2,650 | $3,493 | $4,336 |
Utility estimates scale with Los Angeles’s cost of living index (166). Your actual bill depends on unit size, climate, and individual usage.
Cost of Living in Los Angeles
166
Cost of Living Index (100 = national average)
Los Angeles's cost of living index is 166, which is 66% above the national average. This index factors in housing, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. A higher number means you need more income to maintain the same standard of living compared to the national average.
Los Angeles at a Glance
Population
3.9M
Median Income
$69,778
COL Index
166
Rent Control
Yes
How Much Income Do You Need to Rent in Los Angeles?
The widely accepted guideline is to spend no more than 30% of your gross income on rent. Here is the minimum annual income you need to afford an apartment in Los Angeles by bedroom count.
| Apartment | Monthly Rent | Min Annual Income | Min Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bedroom | $2,400/mo | $96,000 | $46.15/hr |
| 2-Bedroom | $3,200/mo | $128,000 | $61.54/hr |
| 3-Bedroom | $4,000/mo | $160,000 | $76.92/hr |
Based on the 30% rule and a 2,080-hour work year. Many landlords also require gross income of 2.5x to 3x the monthly rent or a guarantor who earns 80x rent annually.
What Rent Can You Afford in Los Angeles at Your Income?
Use this table to see the maximum monthly rent you can afford at different income levels, and which Los Angeles apartment sizes that fits.
| Annual Income | Gross Monthly | Max Rent (30%) | Fits in Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000/yr | $3,333 | $1,000 | Roommate required |
| $60,000/yr | $5,000 | $1,500 | Roommate required |
| $80,000/yr | $6,667 | $2,000 | Roommate required |
| $100,000/yr | $8,333 | $2,500 | 1-bedroom |
| $150,000/yr | $12,500 | $3,750 | 2-bedroom or smaller |
If your income puts a solo 1-bedroom out of reach, splitting a 2-bedroom with a roommate drops your share to $1,600 in Los Angeles — often the difference between affordable and not.
How Much You Save with a Roommate in Los Angeles
Save $800/month
by splitting a 2-bedroom with a roommate
Solo 1BR
$2,400
per month
Split 2BR
$1,600
per person/month
Annual Savings
$9,600
per year
Instead of paying $2,400 for a 1-bedroom on your own, splitting a 2-bedroom ($3,200) with one roommate brings your share to $1,600. That is $9,600 per year you could put toward savings, investments, or paying down debt. See the fair rent split calculator when rooms aren’t equal sizes.
Move-In Costs in Los Angeles
On top of your first month's rent, expect these upfront costs before the keys are in your hand. Plan for roughly 2-3 months of rent saved before signing a lease.
Security Deposit
$2,400–$4,800
1-2 months' rent, refundable
First Month
$2,400
Due at lease signing
Broker/App Fees
$50–$2,400
Varies by market and listing
Total upfront cash to sign a 1-bedroom lease in Los Angeles: $4,850–$9,600 depending on broker fees and deposit size.
Rent Control in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has rent control or rent stabilization
Los Angeles has the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), which covers apartments built before October 1, 1978. Landlords can only raise rent by a percentage set annually by the LA Housing Department, typically 3-8%. California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) also caps annual rent increases at 5% plus CPI (up to 10%) for most properties built before 2005.
How Los Angeles Compares to Other US Cities
Los Angeles sits well above the US average on rent. Compare the 1-bedroom price with nearby tiers to see where you could move to spend less, or what to expect if you go pricier.
Cheaper than Los Angeles
See the full comparison across 50 US cities on the rent data hub or the cost of living comparison.
Rent Calculators for Los Angeles Renters
Use these free calculators to plan your Los Angeles rental budget, split rent with roommates, and check if you qualify for an apartment.
Rent Affordability Calculator
Find out how much rent you can afford based on your income.
Fair Rent Split Calculator
Split rent fairly by room size, features, and income.
Rent-to-Income Calculator
Check if you meet the 3x rent rule landlords require.
Renter Budget Calculator
Build a 50/30/20 budget around your rent payment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Los Angeles
Is Los Angeles expensive to rent in?
Yes. Los Angeles is one of the most expensive rental markets in the US. A 1-bedroom apartment averages $2,400 per month in 2026, about 66% above the national average. Areas like Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and the Westside tend to be pricier, while the San Fernando Valley and South LA offer relatively lower rents.
How much income do you need to rent in Los Angeles?
Using the 30% rule, you would need a gross monthly income of about $8,000 (or $96,000 per year) to comfortably afford a $2,400/month 1-bedroom apartment. Most landlords require proof of income at 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent.
How much can you save by splitting rent with a roommate in Los Angeles?
Splitting a 2-bedroom apartment ($3,200/month) with one roommate brings your share to $1,600 — saving $800 per month compared to a solo 1-bedroom. That is $9,600 per year in savings.
What utilities should you budget for in Los Angeles?
Renters in Los Angeles typically pay about $160 per month for utilities (electric, gas, water, trash) on a 1-bedroom apartment. Internet adds another $60-$80 per month, and renters insurance runs around $20 per month. Altogether, plan for roughly $250 on top of your $2,400 rent.
How much is a security deposit in Los Angeles?
Most Los Angeles landlords ask for a security deposit equal to 1 month's rent — about $2,400 for a 1-bedroom at the Los Angeles average. Some properties charge up to 2 months ($4,800), especially for tenants without local rental history or with lower credit scores. Pet deposits usually add another $250-$500 on top.
Is Los Angeles affordable on the median household income?
Not comfortably. The median household income in Los Angeles is $69,778 (about $5,815 per month), and the average 1-bedroom rent of $2,400 eats up about 41% of gross monthly income — well above the 30% rule. Many Los Angeles renters split a 2-bedroom with a roommate or look for units in the city's cheaper neighborhoods to bring the share below 30%.
Explore the rest of the SplitGenius library
Five cornerstone guides plus six topic deep-dives cover every major splitting decision. Here’s where to go next.
Pillar Guide
The Complete Guide to Splitting Expenses Fairly
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Topic Guide
The Roommate Money Guide: Avoiding Financial Conflict
Set up shared finances, split expenses fairly, and handle money disagreements without drama.
Pillar Guide
The Complete Guide to Fair Division
Estates, inheritances, divorce assets, and co-parenting costs — when the stakes are personal, the math matters.
Topic Guide
Understanding Your Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)
What DTI is, how lenders use it, and 7 proven strategies to lower yours.
Topic Guide
First Apartment Checklist: Everything You Need
Complete checklist for move-in costs, furniture, setup, and budgeting for your first place.
Pillar Guide
The Complete Guide to Ratio Calculations
Ratios, percentages, and fractions — how they connect and when to use each for any splitting decision.
Planning to rent in Los Angeles?