
Apartments for Rent in Lafayette, CA (509 Rentals)


Lafayette Commons

Town Center

3433 Golden Gate Way, Unit 3
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
Lafayette, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Lafayette?
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Lafayette Studio Apartments | $2,504 | $1,665 | $4,536 |
Lafayette 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,071 | $1,550 | $7,682 |
Lafayette 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,591 | $2,150 | $9,334 |
Lafayette 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,533 | $3,204 | $9,400 |
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Lafayette, CA Local Guide

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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 LifestyleLafayette, CA
Ranked #353
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
2.5Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Lafayette, CA
M. H. Stanley Middle
School data provided by Great Schools
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Getting Around Lafayette, CA
Walk Score®
74 / 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 37 Studio Apartments in Lafayette with rent ranges from $1,665 to $4,536 with an average price of $2,504.
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 $1,550 to $7,682 with an average monthly rent of $3,071.
What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in Lafayette cost?
The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Lafayette range from $2,150 to $9,334. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $3,591.
How expensive are Lafayette Three Bedroom Apartments?
There are currently 80 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in Lafayette on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $3,204 to $9,400 - averaging $4,533 for the location.
Expert Rental Resources
Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips
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.

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