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National ranking · 150 entries

Rent Control Cities, 2026 Master List.

US cities that have a local rent-control or rent-stabilization ordinance today, sit under a statewide rent cap (CA, OR, WA), or are plausible near-term targets in a state where local rent control is still legally possible. The 31 states that preempt (outright ban) local rent control are excluded, so a high-rent-burden suburb in Louisiana or Texas will not appear here.

Worst cities Best cities Worst states Best states Least affordable for renters Rent-control cities
Top city
Los Angeles
10.0 · CA
Average RC Risk
8.5
across 150 entries
Most-represented state
CA
112 of 150 on this list
Average rent · list
$1,991
per month
Ranking · top 150
Ranked by rent-control risk · highest first
Click a column to sort
# City↕ County↕ Population↕ RC Risk↕ Rent Burden↕ Status↕ Lean↕
001 Los Angeles CA Los Angeles County 3,857,263 10.0 35.0% Ordinance Dem
002 San Francisco CA San Francisco County 830,235 10.0 25.1% Ordinance Dem
003 Oakland CA Alameda County 439,418 10.0 30.6% Ordinance Dem
004 Calabasas CA Los Angeles County 22,669 9.6 51.0% Statewide cap Dem
005 San Jose CA Santa Clara County 990,138 9.5 30.1% Ordinance Dem
006 Washington DC District of Columbia County 681,294 9.5 28.6% Ordinance Dem
007 San Luis Obispo CA San Luis Obispo County 48,491 9.5 44.7% Statewide cap Dem
008 Phelan CA San Bernardino County 18,496 9.5 51.0% Statewide cap Dem
009 Laguna Woods CA Orange County 17,289 9.5 51.0% Statewide cap Dem
010 Castaic CA Los Angeles County 17,999 9.4 46.7% Statewide cap Dem
011 Westmont CA Los Angeles County 34,123 9.3 44.6% Statewide cap Dem
012 Pullman WA Whitman County 32,229 9.2 43.5% Statewide cap Dem
013 East Niles CA Kern County 28,532 9.2 43.7% Statewide cap Rep
014 South El Monte CA Los Angeles County 19,287 9.2 39.2% Statewide cap Dem
015 Rancho Mirage CA Riverside County 17,563 9.2 42.5% Statewide cap Dem
016 Bostonia CA San Diego County 16,765 9.2 35.6% Statewide cap Dem
017 El Cajon CA San Diego County 104,449 9.1 42.3% Statewide cap Dem
018 Davis CA Yolo County 66,978 9.1 45.7% Statewide cap Dem
019 Glen Cove NY Nassau County 28,112 9.1 38.8% Ordinance Dem
020 San Fernando CA Los Angeles County 23,632 9.1 40.2% Statewide cap Dem
021 Clearlake CA Lake County 16,659 9.1 45.4% Statewide cap Dem
022 Seattle WA King County 754,195 9.0 27.4% Statewide cap Dem
023 Long Beach CA Los Angeles County 455,548 9.0 32.8% Statewide cap Dem
024 Glendale CA Los Angeles County 190,748 9.0 37.8% Statewide cap Dem
025 Victorville CA San Bernardino County 137,627 9.0 39.4% Statewide cap Dem
026 Corvallis OR Benton County 59,960 9.0 40.2% Statewide cap Dem
027 Desert Hot Springs CA Riverside County 33,200 9.0 37.3% Statewide cap Dem
028 Des Moines WA King County 32,823 9.0 39.8% Statewide cap Dem
029 Palmdale CA Los Angeles County 164,634 8.9 40.0% Statewide cap Dem
030 Westminster CA Orange County 89,860 8.9 37.0% Statewide cap Dem
031 Mountain View CA Contra Costa County 83,732 8.9 23.1% Ordinance Dem
032 Highland CA San Bernardino County 56,675 8.9 39.2% Statewide cap Dem
033 Fountain Valley CA Orange County 56,258 8.9 38.8% Statewide cap Dem
034 Diamond Bar CA Los Angeles County 53,355 8.9 38.8% Statewide cap Dem
035 Seaside CA Monterey County 31,814 8.9 38.6% Statewide cap Dem
036 East Palo Alto CA San Mateo County 29,069 8.9 34.9% Ordinance Dem
037 Lemon Grove CA San Diego County 27,686 8.9 36.1% Statewide cap Dem
038 Arcata CA Humboldt County 18,607 8.9 40.0% Statewide cap Dem
039 Floral Park NY Nassau County 16,169 8.9 32.1% Ordinance Dem
040 La Palma CA Orange County 15,272 8.9 36.9% Statewide cap Dem
041 San Bernardino CA San Bernardino County 222,724 8.8 37.6% Statewide cap Dem
042 Escondido CA San Diego County 149,668 8.8 36.5% Statewide cap Dem
043 Simi Valley CA Ventura County 125,634 8.8 35.8% Statewide cap Dem
044 Menifee CA Riverside County 110,305 8.8 39.5% Statewide cap Dem
045 Camarillo CA Ventura County 70,186 8.8 37.4% Statewide cap Dem
046 Santee CA San Diego County 59,332 8.8 40.3% Statewide cap Dem
047 San Jacinto CA Riverside County 55,180 8.8 40.6% Statewide cap Dem
048 West Puente Valley CA Los Angeles County 22,495 8.8 37.7% Statewide cap Dem
049 Bryn Mawr-Skyway WA King County 17,638 8.8 40.8% Statewide cap Dem
050 McKinleyville CA Humboldt County 17,113 8.8 37.9% Statewide cap Dem
051 Moraga CA Contra Costa County 16,769 8.8 39.3% Statewide cap Dem
052 Bellingham WA Whatcom County 93,438 8.7 37.2% Statewide cap Dem
053 Hemet CA Riverside County 91,326 8.7 39.1% Statewide cap Dem
054 Pittsburg CA Contra Costa County 76,257 8.7 39.1% Statewide cap Dem
055 Apple Valley CA San Bernardino County 75,473 8.7 36.8% Statewide cap Dem
056 Palm Springs CA Riverside County 45,070 8.7 38.0% Ordinance Dem
057 Ladera Ranch CA Orange County 23,793 8.7 36.9% Statewide cap Dem
058 Union Hill-Novelty Hill WA King County 23,047 8.7 32.5% Statewide cap Dem
059 Pinole CA Contra Costa County 18,761 8.7 47.8% Statewide cap Dem
060 Fillmore CA Ventura County 16,816 8.7 37.3% Statewide cap Dem
061 Moreno Valley CA Riverside County 211,666 8.6 35.9% Statewide cap Dem
062 Antioch CA Contra Costa County 116,477 8.6 37.3% Ordinance Dem
063 Chico CA Butte County 102,188 8.6 38.3% Statewide cap IND
064 Hesperia CA San Bernardino County 100,775 8.6 34.8% Statewide cap Dem
065 Lynwood CA Los Angeles County 64,578 8.6 35.3% Statewide cap Dem
066 Stanton CA Orange County 39,402 8.6 36.4% Statewide cap Dem
067 Bell Gardens CA Los Angeles County 38,229 8.6 33.5% Ordinance Dem
068 Montclair CA San Bernardino County 37,810 8.6 36.9% Statewide cap Dem
069 San Dimas CA Los Angeles County 33,789 8.6 38.6% Statewide cap Dem
070 Bell CA Los Angeles County 32,476 8.6 40.3% Statewide cap Dem
071 Newburgh NY Orange County 28,519 8.6 36.3% Just cause IND
072 Eastmont WA Snohomish County 23,721 8.6 37.3% Statewide cap Dem
073 Yucca Valley CA San Bernardino County 21,770 8.6 37.2% Statewide cap Dem
074 Rancho San Diego CA San Diego County 21,272 8.6 38.5% Statewide cap Dem
075 Portland OR Multnomah County 641,165 8.5 31.4% Statewide cap Dem
076 Sacramento CA Sacramento County 528,706 8.5 32.8% Statewide cap Dem
077 St. Paul MN Ramsey County 307,284 8.5 30.0% Ordinance Dem
078 Jersey City NJ Hudson County 294,078 8.5 27.5% Ordinance Dem
079 Santa Clarita CA Los Angeles County 230,221 8.5 35.8% Statewide cap Dem
080 Yonkers NY Westchester County 209,978 8.5 32.7% Ordinance Dem
081 Fullerton CA Orange County 140,968 8.5 36.5% Statewide cap Dem
082 Fairfield CA Solano County 120,785 8.5 39.7% Statewide cap Dem
083 El Monte CA Los Angeles County 106,109 8.5 35.4% Statewide cap Dem
084 Arden-Arcade CA Sacramento County 94,994 8.5 35.9% Statewide cap Dem
085 San Marcos CA San Diego County 94,882 8.5 37.0% Statewide cap Dem
086 Compton CA Los Angeles County 92,698 8.5 35.9% Statewide cap Dem
087 La Mesa CA San Diego County 60,797 8.5 35.1% Statewide cap Dem
088 Florence-Graham CA Los Angeles County 60,690 8.5 35.7% Statewide cap Dem
089 North Highlands CA Sacramento County 47,957 8.5 36.1% Statewide cap Dem
090 Adelanto CA San Bernardino County 37,964 8.5 36.2% Statewide cap Dem
091 Foothill Farms CA Sacramento County 36,435 8.5 37.4% Statewide cap Dem
092 Spring Valley NY Rockland County 33,192 8.5 37.8% Ordinance IND
093 Banning CA Riverside County 31,093 8.5 35.8% Statewide cap Dem
094 Happy Valley OR Clackamas County 26,738 8.5 35.4% Statewide cap Dem
095 Cudahy CA Los Angeles County 22,087 8.5 35.7% Ordinance Dem
096 Port Hueneme CA Ventura County 21,582 8.5 35.4% Statewide cap Dem
097 Rosamond CA Kern County 21,473 8.5 33.9% Statewide cap Rep
098 Valle Vista CA Riverside County 18,602 8.5 32.8% Statewide cap Dem
099 Chino Hills CA San Bernardino County 77,927 8.4 34.5% Statewide cap Dem
100 Montebello CA Los Angeles County 61,045 8.4 35.2% Statewide cap Dem
101 Poughkeepsie NY Dutchess County 31,958 8.4 36.8% Just cause Dem
102 Concord CA Contra Costa County 124,035 8.3 36.2% Ordinance Dem
103 San Rafael CA Marin County 60,433 8.3 36.0% Statewide cap Dem
104 Pomona CA Los Angeles County 147,943 8.2 36.0% Ordinance Dem
105 Richmond CA Contra Costa County 115,505 8.2 34.5% Ordinance Dem
106 Inglewood CA Los Angeles County 104,569 8.2 35.5% Ordinance Dem
107 Chula Vista CA San Diego County 276,375 8.1 35.4% Statewide cap Dem
108 San Diego CA San Diego County 1,389,526 8.0 32.4% Statewide cap Dem
109 Santa Ana CA Orange County 312,534 8.0 31.9% Ordinance Dem
110 Oxnard CA Ventura County 200,928 8.0 34.0% Ordinance Dem
111 Baldwin Park CA Los Angeles County 70,138 8.0 33.4% Ordinance Dem
112 White Plains NY Westchester County 60,666 8.0 31.7% Ordinance Dem
113 Petaluma CA Sonoma County 59,247 8.0 33.7% Statewide cap Dem
114 Burbank CA Los Angeles County 104,546 7.9 34.3% Statewide cap Dem
115 Huntington Park CA Los Angeles County 53,108 7.9 34.2% Ordinance Dem
116 Thousand Oaks CA Ventura County 125,205 7.8 32.9% Ordinance Dem
117 Kingston NY Ulster County 23,911 7.8 34.5% Ordinance Dem
118 Takoma Park MD Montgomery County 17,632 7.8 32.6% Ordinance Dem
119 Berkeley CA Alameda County 120,257 7.7 34.0% Ordinance Dem
120 Beverly Hills CA Los Angeles County 31,624 7.7 33.0% Ordinance Dem
121 Maywood CA Los Angeles County 24,317 7.7 33.5% Ordinance Dem
122 Eastchester NY Westchester County 20,491 7.6 34.5% Ordinance Dem
123 Albany NY Albany County 100,492 7.5 30.8% Just cause Dem
124 Mount Vernon NY Westchester County 72,427 7.4 32.1% Ordinance Dem
125 Salinas CA Monterey County 161,761 7.3 32.2% Ordinance Dem
126 Hayward CA Alameda County 158,801 7.3 31.9% Ordinance Dem
127 Freeport NY Nassau County 44,088 7.3 31.7% Ordinance Dem
128 Harrison NY Westchester County 29,961 7.3 32.8% Ordinance Dem
129 San Leandro CA Alameda County 87,826 7.2 32.5% Ordinance Dem
130 Marina CA Monterey County 22,563 7.2 29.6% Ordinance Dem
131 New York NY Kings County 8,483,844 6.9 31.3% Ordinance Dem
132 New Rochelle NY Westchester County 82,769 6.9 30.5% Ordinance Dem
133 Long Beach NY Nassau County 34,756 6.9 31.6% Ordinance Dem
134 Pasadena CA Los Angeles County 136,969 6.6 31.5% Ordinance Dem
135 Port Chester NY Westchester County 31,102 6.5 31.1% Ordinance Dem
136 Rockville Centre NY Nassau County 25,765 6.5 31.3% Ordinance Dem
137 Culver City CA Los Angeles County 39,931 6.2 31.2% Ordinance Dem
138 Atlantic City NJ Atlantic County 38,632 6.2 33.6% Ordinance Dem
139 West Hollywood CA Los Angeles County 34,884 6.0 27.9% Ordinance Dem
140 Santa Monica CA Los Angeles County 91,169 5.6 27.5% Ordinance Dem
141 Portland ME Cumberland County 68,854 5.5 30.6% Ordinance Dem
142 Union City NJ Hudson County 66,463 5.5 32.3% Ordinance Dem
143 Union City CA Alameda County 67,464 5.4 28.8% Statewide cap Dem
144 Mineola NY Nassau County 21,211 5.3 27.9% Ordinance Dem
145 Alameda CA Alameda County 77,238 5.1 27.9% Ordinance Dem
146 Fremont CA Alameda County 228,295 4.9 27.3% Statewide cap Dem
147 Lynbrook NY Nassau County 20,325 4.8 29.7% Ordinance Dem
148 Palo Alto CA Santa Clara County 67,237 4.4 26.6% Statewide cap Dem
149 Los Gatos CA Santa Clara County 32,786 4.2 27.0% Ordinance Dem
150 Erie PA Erie County 93,850 3.5 32.9% Just cause IND

How the ranking is built

Rent control is set locally, but whether a city is even allowed to enact it is set by the state. Thirty-one states preempt, outright ban, local rent control, so a high-rent-burden city in Louisiana, Texas, or Florida cannot adopt a rent cap no matter how strained its renters are. This list therefore filters on the law first, then on pressure. A city qualifies only if it (a) already has a local rent-stabilization ordinance, (b) sits under a statewide rent cap (California, Oregon, and Washington each cap annual increases statewide), or (c) is in one of the remaining states where local rent control is still legally possible. Each row is tagged Ordinance, Statewide cap, Just cause (a just-cause eviction ordinance without a rent cap, like Erie, PA's 2025 Tenant Bill of Rights), or Emerging accordingly, and rows rank by the rent-control pressure score.

The RC Risk score (1–10) is a national percentile of rent burden combined with tenant organizing strength (renter share) and political climate, it ranks how much rent-control pressure a city is under. Established jurisdictions (New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland, Berkeley, Washington DC, Newark, East Orange, St. Paul) sort to the top because rent control is already in force; emerging cities follow, ordered by that pressure. We exclude preemption states entirely rather than listing places where the score is high but enactment is legally impossible. Click any city for its specific rent-control sub-score and inputs.

Sources

What this ranking is based on. Positions reflect each city's legal and regulatory environment for landlords: statutes, ordinances, eviction timelines, filing costs, and court posture, combined with market-wide economics such as rent burden. Rankings never use tenant or neighborhood demographics, and the one-line notes on the top entries cite the specific enacted laws behind each position. Full detail on every input is on the methodology page.

US Census ACS 2023 5-year (poverty, unemployment, rent burden, median gross rent, renter share), 2024 Census Gazetteer (geometry), MIT Election Lab 2020 county presidential returns, state landlord-tenant statute citations, HUD cost-burden thresholds. Nothing on this list is synthesized. Where a source has no value for a city, it is excluded from that ranking, not filled in.