Updated October 2026 with Q3 2026 market data.
If you’re searching for a warehouse for rent in Los Angeles, the asking rent is only part of what you’ll pay. This guide breaks down the real cost to lease a warehouse in Los Angeles in 2026: current rents, the triple net charges on top of base rent, move-in costs, and a sample budget for a 10,000 SF space, so you can plan with real numbers.
The Short Answer
As of Q3 2026, most warehouse space in Los Angeles County is asking roughly $1.25 to $1.40 per square foot per month, plus triple net (NNN) expenses. Kidder Mathews reported an average direct asking rate of $1.36/SF per month NNN in Q3 2026, down about 3.6% from a year earlier. The decline is slowing: Savills reported a second straight quarter of positive net absorption (1.4 million SF in Q3), a sign the market has found its bottom.
Keep in mind that LA quotes industrial rent per month, while many other markets quote per year. $1.35/SF per month equals about $16.20/SF per year.
Good news for tenants: rents have come down meaningfully. CBRE reported that LA industrial asking rents fell 7% year over year and more than 32% over the past three years, which gives tenants more negotiating room than they’ve had in years.
Warehouse Rent by LA Submarket
Location drives price more than anything else. Across LA County, submarket averages range from about $0.75 to $3.00/SF per month, but most core industrial areas fall between roughly $1.20 and $1.70.
| Submarket | Key Areas | Best For | 2026 Rent Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Bay | Torrance, Carson, Gardena | Port access, distribution | Larger declines in port-oriented areas |
| Central LA | Vernon, Commerce | Food, apparel, last-mile delivery | Varies widely by building age and power |
| San Gabriel Valley | City of Industry | Larger modern buildings | Smaller declines; limited modern supply |
| San Fernando Valley | Burbank, Van Nuys, Sun Valley | Small-bay space, local service businesses | Smaller declines; limited modern supply |
| Mid-Cities / Long Beach | Santa Fe Springs, Long Beach | Manufacturing, port access | Larger declines near the port |
Building quality matters as much as location. Kidder Mathews reported that new Class A buildings, especially in the South Bay, are routinely leasing at about $2.40 to $2.75/SF per month NNN in Q3 2026, driven by aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing tenants. Older Class B and C buildings make up most of the space near the market average.
Port-oriented submarkets like Long Beach and Carson have seen the sharpest rent declines, while the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, and City of Industry have held up better because modern inventory there is limited.
How Big Is the Average Warehouse Space for Rent in Los Angeles?
There’s no single average, because LA’s industrial market runs from 1,000 SF units to 500,000 SF distribution centers. But most businesses searching for space are small. On TenantBase, Los Angeles industrial searches in Q3 2026 averaged 1,000 to 5,000 SF.
Here’s how LA warehouse space typically breaks down by size:
- Small-bay (1,000 to 10,000 SF): contractors, e-commerce sellers, local distributors, and service businesses. Common in the San Fernando Valley, Gardena, and older parts of Vernon and Commerce. Expect the highest rent per square foot in this range.
- Mid-size (10,000 to 50,000 SF): manufacturers, wholesalers, food and apparel companies, and 3PLs. Found across Central LA, the South Bay, and the San Gabriel Valley.
- Large distribution (100,000 SF and up): national logistics and retail tenants, mostly near the ports and in the South Bay, Mid-Counties, and City of Industry.
Small spaces are the hardest to find in LA, so they hold their rents better than large ones. If you need under 10,000 SF, plan to move quickly when the right space comes up.
What You Pay on Top of Base Rent: NNN Charges
Most LA warehouse leases are triple net, which means you pay your share of the building’s:
- Property taxes
- Building insurance
- Common area maintenance (CAM): landscaping, parking lot repairs, roof maintenance, and shared services
In my experience, NNN charges in Los Angeles typically run $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot per month on top of base rent, depending on the building’s age, assessed value, and how it’s managed. Always ask the landlord for last year’s actual NNN costs, not just an estimate.
You’ll also usually pay directly for utilities, your own business insurance, and interior maintenance like lighting, HVAC servicing, and roll-up doors. New to lease structures? Read my guide to the most common types of commercial real estate leases in California.
What Drives Warehouse Rent Up or Down
Two buildings on the same street can lease at very different rates. The biggest factors:
- Clear height: Taller ceilings (24 to 36 feet) cost more because you can store more vertically.
- Loading: Dock-high doors for trucks command higher rent than grade-level roll-up doors.
- Power: Heavy power for manufacturing or cold storage is scarce in LA and adds value.
- Yard space: Secured truck parking and outdoor storage are in high demand.
- Building age: Modern infill buildings still command premium rents, while older properties face more pricing pressure.
- Size: Smaller spaces often rent for more per square foot than large ones.
Move-In Costs to Budget For
- Security deposit: typically 1 to 2 months of rent, sometimes more for newer businesses
- First month’s rent and NNN charges
- Tenant improvements: office buildout, racking, lighting, or electrical upgrades (negotiate for a TI allowance to cover some of this)
- Permits: some uses need city approvals before you can operate
- Moving and setup costs
Sample Budget: 10,000 SF Warehouse in Los Angeles
Here’s a realistic monthly cost for a 10,000 square foot space, using a mid-range NNN estimate:
| Cost | Rate | Monthly Total |
|---|---|---|
| Base rent | $1.35/SF | $13,500 |
| NNN charges | $0.75/SF | $7,500 |
| Total occupancy cost | $2.10/SF | $21,000 |
| Utilities | Varies by use | Varies |
That’s about $252,000 per year before utilities. On a five-year lease with 3% annual rent increases, total occupancy cost would be more than $1.3 million, which is why the lease terms matter as much as the starting rent.
How to Negotiate a Better Warehouse Lease in 2026
Rising vacancy has shifted leverage toward tenants. LA’s direct industrial vacancy rate held at 6.0% in Q3 2026 (Kidder Mathews), and landlords are still offering concessions to fill space. With demand picking back up, this window may not last, so it’s a good time to lock in terms. Here’s what to ask for:
- Free rent: 1 to 3 months is common on multi-year leases right now.
- TI allowance: landlord money toward your buildout.
- Lower annual increases: negotiating escalations from 4% down to 3% saves real money over a five-year term.
- NNN caps: limits on how much controllable operating expenses can rise each year.
- Flexible terms: renewal options, expansion rights, or an early termination clause.
A tenant representation broker negotiates these terms for you, and in most cases the landlord pays the broker’s commission, not you.
Looking for a warehouse right now? Email me your size and preferred area, and I’ll send you options with real pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is warehouse rent in Los Angeles per square foot?
Most LA warehouse space is asking between about $1.25 and $1.40 per square foot per month NNN in 2026, with most core submarkets ranging from roughly $1.20 to $1.70.
Are warehouse rents in Los Angeles going down?
Yes. LA industrial rents have fallen significantly from their 2023 peak, though the pace of decline slowed in 2026 and pricing is starting to stabilize.
What does NNN mean in a warehouse lease?
NNN (triple net) means the tenant pays a share of the building’s property taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance in addition to base rent. In LA, those charges typically add $0.50 to $1.00/SF per month.
How long is a typical warehouse lease in LA?
Most industrial leases I see run 2 to 5 years, with annual rent increases of 3% to 4%. Longer terms usually earn better concessions.
Do I need a broker to lease a warehouse?
It isn’t required, but a tenant rep broker can find off-market options and negotiate better terms, and the landlord typically pays the broker’s fee.
What is the average size of warehouse space for rent in Los Angeles?
Most businesses look for small spaces. LA industrial searches on TenantBase averaged 1,000 to 5,000 SF in Q3 2026, though the market includes buildings well over 100,000 SF.
How much does a 5,000 SF warehouse cost per month in Los Angeles?
At the Q3 2026 average of $1.36/SF base rent plus about $0.75/SF in NNN charges, a 5,000 SF space runs roughly $10,550 per month before utilities. Smaller spaces often rent above the average per square foot.
Why is Class A warehouse space so much more expensive?
New Class A buildings have higher ceilings, more loading, more power, and modern systems. In Q3 2026 they were leasing at about $2.40 to $2.75/SF per month NNN in the South Bay, roughly double the market average.
Related reading: learn how NNN, gross, and modified gross leases compare in my guide to commercial lease types in California, or see how to avoid a bad medical tenant if you own a building.
Get Real Pricing for Your Warehouse Search
Asking rents are just a starting point. What matters is what deals are actually closing at, and that information isn’t posted online.
Tell me your size, preferred area, and budget, and I’ll send you a list of available warehouses with real pricing within 24 hours.
Call or text: (818) 698-6614
Email: Arman.Boyadjian@compass.com
About the author: Arman Boyadjian is a Realtor with Compass with more than six years of experience helping tenants, buyers, and owners across Los Angeles, specializing in industrial, retail, and medical properties. DRE #02131891.
Sources: Q3 2026 Los Angeles industrial reports from Kidder Mathews, Savills, and TenantBase; Q2 2026 reports fromKidder Mathews, KBC Advisors, CBRE, and Matthews. Market figures are averages, and actual pricing varies by building. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
