Apartments for Rent in Lafayette, CA (509 Rentals)

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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers

Maximize your work-life balance in San Francisco. Discover the ideal neighborhoods for renting, from SoMa to Nob Hill, for employees of the city's 5 leading companies.

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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

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San Francisco's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about San Francisco and the best places to live with original content written by our San Francisco, CA Local Expert Shannon Hilson

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Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

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Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 11

Lafayette, CA Local Guide

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Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.

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Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco

A Local Experts guide to the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods Near Colleges in the Bay area for affordable living. Find your perfect San Francisco Student apartment, condo, or rental home today at ApartmentHomeliving.com

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How a Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit

Learn How a Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit from the Renter University at AparmentHomeLiving.com.

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Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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Lafayette Overview

Lafayette in Contra Costa County is one of the best places to live in California. Lafayette has a distinctly suburban vibe, but it is close enough to Oakland and San Francisco for easy commuting by car and by BART.

What is the history of Lafayette?

For hundreds of years, the land that is now Lafayette was occupied by the Ohlone people. Lafayette was a hunting ground for deer, pronghorn antelope, elk, and grizzly bears, all of which now range outside the Bay Area.  Most of Lafayette and northern sections of nearby Orinda were parts of a 3,329 acre land grant from Mexican governor José Figueroa to a soldier named Candelario Valencia in 1839. Valencia sold his acreage to American immigrant Elam Brown, who renamed the settlement LaFayette. The name of the town was changed to Lafayette in 1932, and it remained a sleepy agricultural village until it was finally incorporated as a city in 1968.

How is the weather in Lafayette?

"Lafayette lies ""over the hills"" from Oakland. BART commuters often notice brilliant sunshine when the train emerges from the tunnel when the weather is damp and dreary in Oakland and the City. Summer days are usually warm and dry with highs in the 80s, while winters can be cool and damp with occasional freezes. On the very hottest days there is low humidity. Lafayette is immune from the snow that can be seen on Mt. Diablo a few miles east. Lafayette's natural cover is mixed woods and oak woodlands interspersed with grasses that mature to a golden brown in the dry season."

How do I get around town?

Downtown Lafayette is completely walkable. Many apartments and condos are within walking distance to downtown. There is a 7-mile trail on which many kids commute by bike to school every day. You do need a car to visit the many homes on large lots in the hills around Lafayette. The city has a BART station and shuttle service to the Oakland and San Francisco airports. Most daily commuters to Oakland and San Francisco find a bike path to the BART station, 

What is the Lafayette commute like?

"Auto traffic in and out of Lafayette travels on I-80. This section is part of an East Bay ""smart corridor"" project with metered on-ramps to make it easier to get on the road and to reduce congestion. Queue spill-back detectors at on-ramps prevent traffic backups onto city streets."

What are the local media outlets?

Lafayette is served by over 20 TV stations in Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, and nearby Concord. There are over a dozen AM stations and two dozen FM stations with strong signals in Concord. Lafayette is served by the East Bay Times and the Contra Costa Times newspapers online and in print and shares a weekly advertising circular with Orinda.

Why live in Lafayette, CA?

Lafayette is a nice town, filled with kind people. Most crime rates are 70 to 80 percent lower than the national average. Diversity is a little low, but residents of Lafayette are welcoming of every race, gender, and voice. The local town celebrations are low-key and laid-back. They include an annual food and wine festival, a celebration of singing in Welsh, fun runs, and a kids' book fair.

What Lafayette landmarks should I see?

Schools in Lafayette are highly rated. Burton Valley Elementary School, Lafayette Elementary School, M. H. Stanley Middle School, and Acalanes High School all have received 10/10 ratings. Over 96 percent of residents of Lafayette have completed one or more academic programs leading to a diploma or a degree.

What is there to do around Lafayette?

Lafayette is a great place to be a foodie. Restaurants in Lafayette range from fine dining to California comfort food and offer selections ranging from honey fried chicken and wild boar pâté to duck confit fries and creamy mac n cheese. There is even a restaurant in Lafayette that makes its own ketchup.  When you are not in the mood for steamed mussels, caramelized scallops, sublime steak frites, and coq au vin, there are several restaurants that serve artisanal burgers.

Any annual festivals or Lafayette events to know?

Be sure to check out some of the great festivals available to residents in and around Lafayette.

Where are the nearby vacation spots?

Lafayette is a center for low-key, family-oriented fun. Nearly all of the major vacation attractions of Northern California are less than half a day's drive away. It's just a few hours to skiing and less than an hour to the coast in good traffic. There are mountains, beaches, redwoods, and dazzling cultural attractions all accessible to day trippers.Near Lafayette you will find some of the overlooked natural attractions of the Bay Area including the Briones Regional Park, Lafayette Reservoir, the Reinhardt Redwoods Region, and the Sibley Volcanic Regional Reserve. In the town there is the Back to the Table Cooking School, where children and teens can learn the cooking skills that will stay with them for life. The Back to the Table Cooking School excels in teaching the skills needed for baking. The local go-to for gift shopping is the Amphora Nueva, which can introduce you to olive oils of quality you may not have known existed.

Where is the best place to move in Lafayette?

"Apartments in Lafayette are dramatically less expensive than similar apartments in Oakland and San Francisco. There is a selection of apartments for every income level that everyone can find a way to afford. Most Lafayette apartments are in the completely walkable sections of the city and near to public transportation. Lafayette is a community with understated appeal.  The city is a calm retreat in one of the world's greatest cultural centers. It's just a few hours from skiing, water sports, and camping retreats. And it abounds with professional opportunities that provide high income for a stable lifestyle. Unlike many other places in the Bay Area, Lafayette is a place where people tend to stay. You may make the progression from apartment to affordable home in the hills, but once you experience Lafayette, you will find it a good place to lead a great life."

Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Lafayette, CA

Ranked #310

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

2.5
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
Lafayette, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Lafayette, CA Rentals by Map

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Getting Around Lafayette, CA

Walk Score®

75 / 100

Very Walkable

Most errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

54 / 100

Bikeable

Some bike infrastructure

What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?

  • Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
  • Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
  • Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lafayette

How much are Studio apartments in Lafayette?

There are currently 226 Studio Apartments in Lafayette with rent ranges from $1,862 to $4,150 with an average price of $2,404.

What is the current price range for One Bedroom Lafayette Apartments for rent?

Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in Lafayette ranges from $1,825 to $4,251 with an average monthly rent of $2,649.

What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in Lafayette cost?

The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Lafayette range from $1,995 to $6,290. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $3,138.

How expensive are Lafayette Three Bedroom Apartments?

There are currently 95 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in Lafayette on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $2,700 to $13,770 - averaging $4,714 for the location.

Expert Rental Resources

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

Helpful Local Expert Guides

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A San Francisco Local Expert’s Guide to the Top Budget-Friendly Bay Area Neighborhoods to Rent

Written by: Shannon Hilson

If you’re anything like me, the thought of San Francisco is synonymous with concepts like creativity, character, and quirky local style.

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Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco

Written by: Shannon Hilson

Naturally, going away to college or university is super exciting in and of itself. It’s the prelude to the rest of your life, not to mention an unforgettable experience all its own.

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Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers

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Deciding to move to San Francisco for work is a huge deal. San Fran is exciting and just weird enough to let you know you’re in for an amazing adventure, right from day one.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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Renting with Roommates: Realistic Expectations for Shared Lease

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Given the high costs for housing, I have found that many people are looking for a roommate to share expenses. These arrangements can increase opportunities for more desirable and larger spaces.

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Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Back in the day when I rented one of my first apartments, the property didn’t even have laundry in the building. Now, rental properties are often competing against each other to provide the best amenities.

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How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everything is a negotiation in real estate! 

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The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters

Written by: Trey Huguley

The move-in inspection checklist is a crucial tool for both tenants and landlords. This checklist, provided by the team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com, helps document the condition of an apartment at the time of move-in.