25 Small Towns in California With the Cheapest Rent

Ranked by median rent among 358 towns of 2,500–10,000 people in California. #1 is Needles, CA (median rent $745/mo).

1. 25East Porterville, California

   Median rent $1,044/mo

   5,549 people · Tulare County · median home $257,700 · income $41,061 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

2. 24Rio Dell, California

   Median rent $1,042/mo

   3,379 people · Humboldt County · median home $301,700 · income $42,753 · Jan low 43°F · 1 in snow

3. 23Planada, California

   Median rent $1,036/mo

   4,164 people · Merced County · median home $266,400 · income $42,727 · Jan low 37°F · 0 in snow

4. 22Cottonwood, California

   Median rent $1,029/mo

   3,971 people · Kern County · median home $321,600 · income $44,247 · Jan low 39°F · 0 in snow

5. 21Live Oak, California

   Median rent $1,014/mo

   9,106 people · Sutter County · median home $350,700 · income $73,571 · Jan low 38°F · 0 in snow

6. 20Borrego Springs, California

   Median rent $1,004/mo

   3,073 people · San Diego County · median home $402,700 · income $86,078 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow

7. 19Yreka, California

   Median rent $987/mo

   7,807 people · Siskiyou County · median home $263,200 · income $43,982 · Jan low 27°F · 12 in snow

8. 18Thermal, California

   Median rent $986/mo

   2,676 people · Riverside County · median home $187,000 · income — · Jan low 39°F · 0 in snow

9. 17Firebaugh, California

   Median rent $982/mo

   8,096 people · Fresno County · median home $242,400 · income $47,734 · Jan low 39°F · 0 in snow

10. 16Woodlake, California

    Median rent $968/mo

    7,419 people · Tulare County · median home $300,200 · income $46,266 · Jan low 38°F · 0 in snow

11. 15San Joaquin, California

    Median rent $967/mo

    3,701 people · Fresno County · median home $266,300 · income $43,011 · Jan low 37°F

12. 14Earlimart, California

    Median rent $965/mo

    7,679 people · Tulare County · median home $264,200 · income $52,881 · Jan low 38°F · 0 in snow

13. 13Corning, California

    Median rent $961/mo

    8,244 people · Tehama County · median home $313,100 · income $56,627 · Jan low 38°F · 0 in snow

14. 12Jamestown, California

    Median rent $944/mo

    3,478 people · Tuolumne County · median home $374,600 · income $57,276 · Jan low 33°F · 0 in snow

15. 11Calipatria, California

    Median rent $919/mo

    6,515 people · Imperial County · median home $197,200 · income $53,299 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

16. 10Mecca, California

    Median rent $916/mo

    8,219 people · Riverside County · median home $224,300 · income $48,312 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow

17. 9Desert Edge, California

    Median rent $903/mo

    4,180 people · Riverside County · median home $76,300 · income $37,429 · Jan low 48°F · 0 in snow

18. 8Hoopa, California

    Median rent $887/mo

    3,167 people · Humboldt County · median home $248,500 · income $64,643 · Jan low 37°F · 3 in snow

19. 7Strathmore, California

    Median rent $871/mo

    2,830 people · Tulare County · median home $213,200 · income $43,387 · Jan low 37°F · 0 in snow

20. 6Ivanhoe, California

    Median rent $870/mo

    4,468 people · Tulare County · median home $228,100 · income $52,179 · Jan low 38°F · 0 in snow

21. 5Oasis, California

    Median rent $862/mo

    4,468 people · Riverside County · median home $34,800 · income $38,769 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow

22. 4Holtville, California

    Median rent $861/mo

    5,605 people · Imperial County · median home $310,100 · income $65,039 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

23. 3Alturas, California

    Median rent $833/mo

    2,715 people · Modoc County · median home $170,100 · income $59,896 · Jan low 21°F · 51 in snow

24. 2Weed, California

    Median rent $788/mo

    2,862 people · Siskiyou County · median home $259,600 · income $38,854 · Jan low 29°F · 89 in snow

25. 1Needles, California

    Median rent $745/mo

    4,931 people · San Bernardino County · median home $157,200 · income $38,243 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow

More California rankings

• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in California
• The 25 Quietest Small Towns in California
• The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in California
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in California
• The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in California
• 25 Small Towns in California With the Cheapest Homes
• 25 Small Towns in California With the Mildest Winters
• The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in California
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in California
• The 10 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in California With Mild Winters

Same ranking, other places

• 50 Small Towns in America With the Cheapest Rent
• 25 Small Towns in Pennsylvania With the Cheapest Rent
• 25 Small Towns in New York With the Cheapest Rent
• 25 Small Towns in Michigan With the Cheapest Rent
• 25 Small Towns in Texas With the Cheapest Rent
• 25 Small Towns in New Jersey With the Cheapest Rent