Fourth and U
2020 4th St,
Berkeley, CA 94710
1-2 Beds | $2,898 - $3,683
Rental Market Trends in Berkeley, CA
Updated August 2026
The average rent in Berkeley, CA is $2,350/month.
Rent in Berkeley is 41% higher than the national average rent of $1,664/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.
$2,350/month
Average Rent
557 Sq Ft
Average Size
+4.4%
Change / Year
1,621
Available Apartments
Berkeley rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in Berkeley average $2,108 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in Berkeley average $2,350 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in Berkeley average $3,344 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in Berkeley average $4,139 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Berkeley, CA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 4.4%, which averages out to $104 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
August 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Berkeley, CA
August 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
0%
Below $700/month
7%
$700 - $1,000/month
15%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
16%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
61%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Berkeley?
Based on current rent prices, Southside, Elmwood and South Berkeley are the most affordable neighborhoods in Berkeley.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Berkeley?
Based on current rent prices, Northwest Berkeley, Southwest Berkeley and North Berkeley are the most expensive neighborhoods in Berkeley.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which Berkeley neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhoods in Berkeley with the most apartments available are Downtown Berkeley, South Berkeley and Southwest Berkeley .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Berkeley, CA?
Because the average rent in Berkeley is $2,350, you’ll want to make about $7,833 per month or $93,996 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.
How does Berkeley, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare Berkeley, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.
View the Berkeley Area GuideStudio
$3,677/month
$2,014/month
One Bedroom
$2,028/month
$2,248/month
Two Bedroom
$2,702/month
$3,145/month
Three Bedroom
$3,449/month
$3,917/month
Compare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
-
Albany
Avg Rent: $1,627/month
-
Kensington
Avg Rent: $1,504/month
-
Emeryville
Avg Rent: $2,912/month
-
El Cerrito
Avg Rent: $2,339/month
-
Piedmont
Avg Rent: $2,194/month
-
Richmond
Avg Rent: $1,800/month
-
Oakland
Avg Rent: $2,203/month
Apartment Communities in Berkeley We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Berkeley?
The average rent in Berkeley is $2,350 per month, which is 41.2% higher than the national average of $1,664.
What is the average rent for a house in Berkeley?
The average rent for a house in Berkeley, CA is $5,129 per month.
What is the average rent for a townhome in Berkeley?
The average rent for a townhome in Berkeley, CA is $4,290 per month.
What is the average rent for a condo in Berkeley?
The average rent for a condo in Berkeley, CA is $2,514 per month.
Are rents going up or down in Berkeley?
Rents in Berkeley, CA are increasing, with prices up 4.4% year-over-year and $104 more per month.
What rent range is most common in Berkeley?
In Berkeley, CA, 61% of apartments fall above $2,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.