Renters in nine Southern California cities are still seeing cost hikes while most others enjoy drops

NY Post Published Aug 19, 2026 Reviewed Aug 20, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Median asking rents for one- and two-bedroom homes increased year over year in nine of the 41 markets in Los Angeles and San Diego metros, according to Zumper.

9 · markets Zumper, data provider

Across the nine cities, one-bedroom listings averaged about $2,040 per month after increases averaging 2.6%, according to Zumper.

2040 $ · one-bedroom listings2.6 % · increase Zumper, data provider

Across the nine cities, two-bedroom asking rents averaged roughly $2,700 after an average 4.7% jump, according to Zumper.

2700 $ · two-bedroom asking rents4.7 % · increase Zumper, data provider

In San Marcos, the median one-bedroom rent surged 9.5% to $2,430, according to Zumper.

2430 $ · one-bedroom rent9.5 % · increase Zumper, data provider

In San Marcos, the two-bedroom rent climbed 7.2% to $2,990, according to Zumper.

2990 $ · two-bedroom rent7.2 % · increase Zumper, data provider

In San Bernardino, two-bedroom rents increased 8.1% to $2,000, according to Zumper.

2000 $ · two-bedroom rent8.1 % · increase Zumper, data provider

In Corona, two-bedroom rents increased 7.9% to $2,590, according to Zumper.

2590 $ · two-bedroom rent7.9 % · increase Zumper, data provider

In Lancaster, the one-bedroom rent dropped 11.9% to $1,560, according to Zumper.

1560 $ · one-bedroom rent11.9 % · drop Zumper, data provider

In Redondo Beach, the rent fell 7.4% to $2,500, according to Zumper.

2500 $ · rent7.4 % · drop Zumper, data provider

In Coronado, the rent dropped 6.7% to $4,200, according to Zumper.

4200 $ · rent6.7 % · drop Zumper, data provider

In Oxnard, two-bedroom rents tumbled 9.5% to $2,770, according to Zumper.

2770 $ · two-bedroom rent9.5 % · drop Zumper, data provider

In Los Angeles, two-bedroom rents dropped 6.9% to $2,970, according to Zumper.

2970 $ · two-bedroom rent6.9 % · drop Zumper, data provider

In Glendale, two-bedroom rents fell 6.6% to $2,710, according to Zumper.

2710 $ · two-bedroom rent6.6 % · drop Zumper, data provider

In San Francisco, one-bedroom rents increased 22.9% to $4,180, according to Zumper’s national report.

4180 $ · one-bedroom rent22.9 % · increase Zumper, data provider

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Southern California’s brutal rent squeeze appears to finally be loosening — but renters in nine unlucky cities are still getting hit with higher prices.

Median asking rents for both one- and two-bedroom homes increased year over year in just nine of 41 markets in Los Angeles and San Diego metros, according to new data from rental platform Zumper.

The holdouts were Carlsbad, Corona, Downey, Oceanside, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Marcos, Torrance and Vista.

Across those cities, one-bedroom listings averaged about $2,040 per month after increases averaging 2.6%. Two-bedroom asking rents averaged roughly $2,700 following an average 4.7% jump.

San Marcos delivered the biggest blow to one-bedroom renters, with its median price surging 9.5% to $2,430. Its two-bedroom rent climbed 7.2% to $2,990.

Renters seeking two bedrooms were squeezed hardest in San Bernardino, where prices soared 8.1% to $2,000. Corona followed with a 7.9% increase to $2,590.

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At least one rental category declined in 29 of the 41 cities analyzed. Lancaster recorded the steepest one-bedroom drop, plunging 11.9% to $1,560, Zumper’s data showed.

Redondo Beach fell 7.4% to $2,500, while Coronado dropped 6.7% to a still eye-watering $4,200.

The biggest two-bedroom break came in Oxnard, where prices tumbled 9.5% to $2,770, Los Angeles dropped 6.9% to $2,970, while Glendale fell 6.6% to $2,710.

Anaheim, Long Beach and Hawthorne landed in the middle, each recording a flat price for one rental size and an increase for the other.

Zumper said rental markets are moving in different directions largely because of apartment supply. Renters retain more leverage where inventory remains plentiful, while prices are beginning to firm where available units are being absorbed.

Southern California’s increasing nevertheless pale beside San Francisco, where one-bedroom rents skyrocketed 22.9% to $4,180 and two-bedroom prices leaped $25.9% to a record $6,020, according to Zumper’s national report.

Zumper calculated the figures from active rental listings that hit the market in July.

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