Data Visualization
True Home Costs · Data: 2026 Zillow Research · truehomecosts.com
Key Findings
- Encinitas leads with +46.4% rent growth over 5yr.
- 10 of the top 10 locations are in CA — suggesting market conditions specific to that state.
- The top location's median home value is 5.2× the national median of $359.7K.
- The top location's median rent is 2.3× the national median of $1.9K/mo.
- Analysis covers 15 locations in CA with complete data for the selected parameters (data updated: 2026-05-02).
Market Spotlight
Encinitas (CA) — +46.4% rent growth over 5yr. Current median rent: $4.2K/mo.
La Quinta (CA) — +44.5% rent growth over 5yr. Current median rent: $3.6K/mo.
Coronado (CA) — +43.7% rent growth over 5yr. Current median rent: $5.5K/mo.
Newport Beach (CA) — +43.6% rent growth over 5yr. Current median rent: $4.1K/mo.
Complete Data: All 15 Locations
| # | Location | State | Current Rent | Period Growth | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Encinitas | CA | $4.2K | +46.4% | $1.9M |
| 2 | La Quinta | CA | $3.6K | +44.5% | $740.1K |
| 3 | Coronado | CA | $5.5K | +43.7% | $2.5M |
| 4 | Newport Beach | CA | $4.1K | +43.6% | $3.6M |
| 5 | Spring Valley | CA | $2.4K | +42.1% | $759.9K |
| 6 | Manhattan Beach | CA | $6.1K | +42.0% | $3.2M |
| 7 | San Bernardino | CA | $1.9K | +42.0% | $483.8K |
| 8 | Apple Valley | CA | $2.0K | +41.7% | $427.9K |
| 9 | Dana Point | CA | $3.8K | +41.2% | $1.7M |
| 10 | Laguna Beach | CA | $5.0K | +40.9% | $2.9M |
| 11 | Covina | CA | $2.5K | +40.8% | $796.5K |
| 12 | San Luis Obispo | CA | $3.6K | +40.8% | $1.1M |
| 13 | Merced | CA | $1.8K | +40.6% | $393.2K |
| 14 | Carlsbad | CA | $3.5K | +40.1% | $1.4M |
| 15 | Lake Forest | CA | $3.1K | +39.6% | $1.2M |
What This Means for Renters
Fast rent growth erodes the financial advantage of renting compared to owning. When rents rise 40–60% over five years while mortgage payments stay fixed (for owners who locked in earlier), the long-run case for buying strengthens — even in markets where buying looked expensive at first glance.
For current renters in these markets, this data is a signal to model the buy-vs-rent math now, especially if you've been in your unit long enough to face lease renewal at market rates.
Methodology
Data sourced from Zillow Research ZHVI and ZORI datasets, processed through the True Cost geographic time-series database (last updated: 2026-05-02). Rent growth is calculated as (current_rent − rent_5yr_ago) / rent_5yr_ago × 100. Only citys with valid historical rent data for the selected period are included. All values reflect point-in-time estimates. Past trends do not guarantee future performance.
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Disclaimer: The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a licensed mortgage professional, financial advisor, and tax professional before making any home purchase or financial decision. True Cost assumes no liability for decisions made based on this content.