These SoCal metros lead the state in new apartment construction

Apartment hunting? A new report reveals California’s hottest spots for new builds, with the southern regions leading the surge.

In RentCafe's 2025 Apartment Construction Report , the Los Angeles metro area is the state's top builder and the 11th nationwide, with 12,558 units in the pipeline, one-third of which (4,177 units) are in the city of Los Angeles.

While California is the most populous state, and about 44% of Californians rent, one of the highest figures in the U.S. , apartment construction in the Golden State accounts for just 8% of the estimated 506,353 units expected nationwide by the end of the year.

While the total is lower than last year, it is still higher than the annual totals recorded each year since 2015, according to the study.

Inland Empire, San Diego hotspots f