The latest Casden Real Estate Economics Forecast from USC’s Lusk Center projects that rents will continue rising across Southern California through 2027, with construction still far from meeting regional demand. The annual report, which tracks multifamily rents and vacancies in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Ventura counties, as well as in the Inland Empire, warns that slow housing production will help keep affordability out of reach for many renters.
Los Angeles County remains the region’s slowest-growing rental market, with rent growth expected to hover near 0.6 percent annually. In contrast, Orange County is set to remain the most expensive, with rents climbing roughly 2.5 percent per year. San Diego stands out as the most responsive market, where years of steady construction have kept rents relatively stable. Ventura County remains high-cost with little new supply, and the Inland Empire, though still the most affordable, is projected to see faster rent gains as new construction slows.