Build costs, cost per square foot, garage conversions and rents across 38 California cities, from each city’s own cost guide.
Building an ADU in California costs $150,000–$550,000 all-in across the 38 cities we cover (2026), or about $180–$700 per square foot. The middle of the 38 city ranges below sits around $302,500. Converting an existing garage runs $65,000–$300,000.
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| City | Typical build cost | Cost per sq ft | Garage conversion | 2-BR rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | $220,000-$450,000 | $300-$500 | $90,000-$200,000 | $2,600-$3,200/mo |
| Berkeley | $250,000-$500,000 | $400-$700 | $120,000-$250,000 | $3,000-$3,900/mo |
| Burbank | $220,000-$400,000 | $300-$550 | $100,000-$225,000 | $2,850-$3,550/mo (Zumper Sept 2026 $2,850; RentCafe Aug 2026 $3,549) |
| Carlsbad | $300,000-$450,000 | $375-$600 | $80,000-$200,000 | $3,250-$4,050/mo |
| Chula Vista | $300,000-$450,000 | $375-$600 | $80,000-$180,000 | $2,800-$4,500/mo |
| Citrus Heights | $170,000-$400,000 | $250-$500 | $90,000-$200,000 | $2,100-$2,350/mo |
| Corona | $180,000-$320,000 | $180-$300 | $70,000-$150,000 | $2,350-$2,600/mo |
| El Cajon | $300,000-$450,000 | $375-$600 | $80,000-$160,000 | $2,100-$2,600/mo |
| Elk Grove | $170,000-$400,000 | $250-$500 | $90,000-$200,000 | $2,200-$3,100/mo |
| Escondido | $300,000-$450,000 | $375-$600 | $80,000-$200,000 | $2,500-$2,800/mo |
| Folsom | $170,000-$400,000 | $250-$500 | $90,000-$200,000 | $2,200-$2,950/mo |
| Fontana | $175,000-$320,000 | $180-$300 | $75,000-$150,000 | $2,100-$2,300/mo |
| Fremont | $250,000-$460,000 | $300-$480 | $100,000-$170,000 | $3,100-$3,700/mo |
| Fresno | $150,000-$320,000 | $200-$330 | $65,000-$150,000 | $1,550-$1,900/mo |
| Glendale | $175,000-$375,000 | $275-$475 | $75,000-$200,000 | $2,800-$3,400/mo |
| Hayward | $200,000-$425,000 | $300-$475 | $120,000-$225,000 | $2,550-$3,100/mo |
| Huntington Beach | $185,000-$420,000 | $300-$525 | $90,000-$185,000 | $3,050-$3,250/mo |
| Irvine | $185,000-$420,000 | $300-$525 | $90,000-$185,000 | $3,600-$4,350/mo |
| Long Beach | $215,000-$400,000 | $310-$450 | $90,000-$180,000 | $2,400-$3,100/mo |
| Los Angeles | $220,000-$400,000 | $300-$500 | $100,000-$200,000 | $2,600-$3,350/mo |
| Oakland | $210,000-$400,000 | $250-$500 | $120,000-$220,000 | $2,700-$3,300/mo |
| Oceanside | $300,000-$450,000 | $375-$600 | $80,000-$200,000 | $2,600-$3,300/mo |
| Ontario | $180,000-$320,000 | $180-$300 | $75,000-$150,000 | $2,450-$2,800/mo |
| Pasadena | $150,000-$400,000 | $300-$450 | $120,000-$190,000 | $3,100-$3,750/mo |
| Rancho Cordova | $170,000-$400,000 | $250-$500 | $90,000-$200,000 | $1,800-$2,200/mo |
| Rancho Cucamonga | $175,000-$350,000 | $250-$350 | $75,000-$150,000 | $2,600-$2,750/mo |
| Riverside | $180,000-$320,000 | $180-$280 | $70,000-$140,000 | $2,200-$2,400/mo |
| Roseville | $170,000-$400,000 | $250-$500 | $90,000-$200,000 | $2,500-$2,900/mo |
| Sacramento | $170,000-$400,000 | $250-$500 | $90,000-$200,000 | $1,800-$2,250/mo |
| San Bernardino | $150,000-$300,000 | $180-$280 | $75,000-$150,000 | $1,900-$2,200/mo |
| San Diego | $250,000-$450,000 | $375-$600 | $80,000-$200,000 | $3,000-$3,300/mo |
| San Francisco | $300,000-$550,000 | $350-$650 | $120,000-$300,000 | $3,700-$5,000/mo |
| San Jose | $200,000-$450,000 | $300-$500 | $90,000-$150,000 | $3,100-$3,600/mo |
| San Mateo | $300,000-$480,000 | $450-$600 | $180,000-$280,000 | $3,900-$4,400/mo (Zumper Sept 2026 $3,900; RentCafe Aug 2026 $4,448) |
| Santa Ana | $180,000-$400,000 | $300-$500 | $90,000-$180,000 | $2,850-$3,200/mo |
| Santa Monica | $250,000-$500,000 | $325-$550 | $140,000-$245,000 | $4,000-$4,700/mo |
| Torrance | $200,000-$380,000 | $250-$400 | $70,000-$160,000 | $2,600-$3,100/mo |
| Upland | $175,000-$350,000 | $180-$350 | $75,000-$150,000 | $2,250-$2,750/mo |
Each figure is the city’s own cost guide; click a city for what is included, permit fees and the sources behind it.
Across the 38 California cities we cover, building a new ADU runs $150,000 to $550,000 all-in, depending on the city, size and finish. The middle of the city ranges sits around $302,500. San Bernardino has the lowest published range ($150,000-$300,000) and San Francisco the highest ($300,000-$550,000).
$180 to $700 per square foot across the 38 California cities we cover. Smaller units cost more per square foot, because the kitchen and bathroom are the expensive rooms.
Usually. Converting an existing garage runs $65,000 to $300,000 in the California cities we cover, against $150,000 to $550,000 for a new detached unit, because the foundation, walls and roof already exist.
A two-bedroom unit rents for about $1,550 to $5,000 a month across these cities. Each city's cost page shows its own rent figure and source.
Yes. An ADU is a home, so it needs a building permit, and the zoning rules, fees and review times are set city by city. Our California ADU laws page compares them.
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