A California report showed Downey's rental market increased, with the median asking rent for a one-bedroom apartment rising to $1,940 as many nearby cities posted annual declines.
Here's what to know
Using September listings from 29 Southern California cities, Zumper's October Los Angeles Metro Report found that Downey's median asking rent for a one-bedroom rose 0.5% monthly and 2.1% annually, while the two-bedroom median stayed unchanged at $2,500, according to The Downey Patriot.
In the 29-city comparison, Downey placed 20th for one-bedroom cost — about 6.7%, below California's statewide one-bedroom median of $2,079.
Annual gains in one-bedroom asking rents were relatively limited across the survey. Downey was among the 10 cities that rose annually, while 17 markets declined and two were unchanged.
For households feeling pressure from rising rent and utility bills, lowering home energy costs can also make a meaningful difference. Going solar is one of the best ways to save on home energy, and Palmetto is currently running an exclusive offer for Southern California residents that lets customers save an average of 40% on their electric bills with $0 down.
More background
Long Beach posted a lower one-bedroom median than Downey at $1,800 — down 1.6% monthly and 2.7% annually. Its median asking rent for a two-bedroom was $2,400, down 3.6% annually.
Nearby markets were mixed. Inglewood's one-bedroom median was $1,840, down 3.2% annually, and its two-bedroom median held steady at $2,480. Downey, however, remained less expensive than Alhambra, where medians were $2,020 for one-bedrooms and $2,600 for two-bedrooms, and Glendale, where those figures were $2,000 and $2,750.
At the high end of the survey, Santa Monica led all cities for one-bedroom rent with a median of $2,880. Beverly Hills followed at $2,780, and West Hollywood ranked third at $2,580, showing how wide the region's pricing spread remains.
SoCal exclusive: Save 40% on your electric bill by going solar with no upfront costs Crushed by your monthly electric bills? Palmetto can take care of you with an exclusive solar offer for Southern California residents. Palmetto's home energy savings plans deliver all the benefits of going solar with zero upfront investment. For a limited time, special rates in Southern California can unlock bill savings of up to 40% — and you can get a custom quote in seconds without sharing your email or phone number. |
Even cities below the statewide median, like Downey, faced upward pressure, while lower-cost alternatives such as Corona at $1,390, Palmdale at $1,510, and Lancaster at $1,580 were often farther from core job centers.
What can be done?
Zumper's metro analysis lets apartment hunters gauge whether a listing is keeping pace with the market or outpacing nearby options.
San Bernardino recorded the biggest annual jump in one-bedroom rents, rising 9.7% to $1,590, while Oxnard logged the steepest decline, falling 16.4% to $2,090. These shifts can help people decide whether to lock in a lease, widen their search radius, or focus on easing markets.
For homeowners and would-be buyers trying to balance Southern California's broader cost-of-living pressures, cutting monthly utility costs can create more breathing room. With Palmetto's help, the average Southern California resident can save 40% on their electric bills, which can add up to thousands of dollars per year.
That kind of savings matters even more in a region where housing costs vary widely from city to city. Palmetto's $0-down offer gives Southern California residents another concrete way to cut recurring household expenses as rents in cities such as Downey keep climbing.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
