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Average Davis Apartment Rent Down Nearly 2%
UC Davis survey finds rents and vacancies decline as new student housing comes online
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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The average rent for Davis apartments decreased 1.8% from fall 2024 to fall 2025, according to an annual survey by UC Davis. The blended vacancy rate for apartments leased by the unit and by the bed was 3.5%, half a percentage point lower than the prior year. The report attributes the rent declines to new student housing added on campus in recent years.
Why it matters
As a college town, Davis' rental market is heavily influenced by UC Davis' student population and housing needs. The survey results suggest the university's ongoing investments in new on-campus housing are helping to stabilize rents and vacancies in the broader Davis rental market.
The details
The average monthly rent for unit-leased apartments decreased 4.8% to $2,309, while the average rate for a bed lease increased 4.7% to $1,223. More than 50% of survey respondents reported decreasing rents in 2025, compared to 30% in 2024. About 59 apartment complexes offered incentives and move-in specials to attract new residents.
- The survey was released on February 18, 2026.
- The rental data is from fall 2025, compared to fall 2024.
The players
UC Davis
The University of California, Davis, which has conducted an annual apartment vacancy and rental rate survey for more than 50 years.
Donelle Allen
The interim associate vice chancellor for housing, dining, divisional operations and technology in Student Affairs at UC Davis.
BAE Urban Economics
The firm that has administered the UC Davis apartment survey on behalf of the university since 2013.
What they’re saying
“We are gratified to see that years of investment in building student housing on campus is helping lower rents for students and others in the community. Continuing to add campus housing remains a key priority for the university.”
— Donelle Allen, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, UC Davis (ucdavis.edu)
What’s next
UC Davis plans to continue expanding its on-campus housing, with the Segundo Infill Project expected to provide about 500 additional student beds when it opens in fall 2027.
The takeaway
The UC Davis survey results demonstrate how a university's strategic investments in student housing can help stabilize rents and vacancies in a college town rental market, benefiting both students and the broader community.
