California Renters Face Soaring Costs: Six-Figure Salaries Needed to Afford Rent in CA’s Big Cities

Renters across California are feeling the squeeze as housing costs continue to outpace income growth, according to a new Zillow analysis released May 12.

In several of the state’s largest metro areas—including San Jose, San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Sacramento—residents now need six-figure salaries to afford typical rental costs without exceeding the recommended 30% of income.

Zillow reports that median income earners in Los Angeles now need $118,958 annually to comfortably rent, while renters in San Diego require over $122,000, the analysis found.

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