Sun Belt rent guide
California vs Texas vs Arizona vs Nevada: Where Rent Goes Furthest (June 2026)
Data as of Jun 6, 2026 · 7,167 rentals across four states
We track the cheapest rentals across California, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada, which makes for an honest side-by-side: how far does the same rent budget go in each? The short version is that California is in a league of its own, and everywhere else we cover is roughly half the price. A one-bedroom that runs $2,199 a month in California rents for around $1,150 in Texas, about $1,049 less every month, or 48% off, for the same apartment.
Texas
$1,199
typical / mo
Arizona
$1,299
typical / mo
Nevada
$1,333
typical / mo
California
$2,247
typical / mo
Typical rent by bedroom
| State | Studio | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $1,248 | $1,150 | $1,400 | $2,000 | 2,070 |
| Arizona | $1,099 | $1,295 | $1,419 | $1,715 | 1,123 |
| Nevada | $1,263 | $1,306 | $1,507 | $2,303 | 444 |
| California | $2,150 | $2,199 | $2,450 | $2,998 | 3,530 |
What it means if you’re deciding
If you can work remotely or you’re weighing a move, the gap is big enough to change your whole budget: leaving California for Texas, Phoenix, or Las Vegas frees up close to $1,049 a month on a one-bedroom, which is most of a car payment or a big chunk of a down-payment fund. The three Sun Belt states are within striking distance of each other, so for them the city matters more than the state line. Once you’ve picked a state, check the city-level guides to find the actual cheap pockets. Everything here is the median across live listings, last updated Jun 6, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the cheapest rent: California, Texas, Arizona, or Nevada?
Texas, on the overall median (~$1,199/mo). Texas and Arizona run close to each other, Nevada is a bit above them, and California sits in a tier of its own, well over $2,000 typical. For a one-bedroom specifically, Texas is the cheapest at about $1,150/mo.
How much cheaper is Texas than California for rent?
A typical California one-bedroom runs $2,199/mo, versus about $1,150 in Texas. That's roughly $1,049/mo less for the same size apartment, close to half off. It's the single biggest reason renters leave California for Texas.
Are these numbers real or estimates?
Real. They're the median rents across 7,167 live listings we track in the four states, so half of apartments are cheaper and half pricier. We use the median, not the average, so a few luxury towers don't skew it. Figures refresh with our data (last updated Jun 6, 2026).
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