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City Report · CA

Albany

Pop. 19,414·130th most expensive in California·Albany rents are up 23.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,107/mo
Year-over-Year
+23.8%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
+$1,142
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Albany · $3,107
More expensive than 92% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
26% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,107/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$124,000/yr
Local median income
$144,107/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Albany's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,940
1 BR
$2,200
2 BR
$2,680
3 BR
$3,430
4 BR+
$4,070
Research median
$2,680/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$37,284/yr
At $3,107/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 23.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+23.8% YoY, -0.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Albany, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 77.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
19,414
Median income
$144,107
Median age
38.4
Renters
46.9%
Age distribution
21.3%
22.7%
28.6%
15.8%
Under 1821.3%
18–3422.7%
35–5428.6%
55–6411.6%
65+15.8%
Gender
46.4%
53.6%
Male46.4%
Female53.6%
Race & ethnicity
45.4%
12.2%
31.4%
White45.4%
Black3.9%
Hispanic12.2%
Asian31.4%
Other7%
Education (25+)
12.3%
77.8%
No HS diploma2.1%
HS diploma7.9%
Some college12.3%
Bachelor's+77.8%
Housing tenure
53.1%
46.9%
Owner53.1%
Renter46.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How Albany, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$3,155 → $3,107
down 1.5%
Income
$113,602 → $144,107
up 26.9%
Population
19,958 → 19,414
down 2.7%
Renter share
50.7% → 46.9%
-3.8 pts
Bachelor's+
73.3% → 77.8%
+4.5 pts
Median age
36.6 → 38.4
+1.8 yrs

The median rent in Albany, CA stood at $3,155 in 2023 and currently runs about $3,107, reflecting a 1.5% decrease over the period. Census figures show median household income at $144,107 today, compared with $113,602 five years earlier. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has contracted by 2.7% since 2021, moving from about 19,958 residents to roughly 19,414. Renters now make up 46.9% of households, compared with 50.7% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 77.8% of adults here, versus 73.3% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.

Community

Discussions about Albany

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View Albany rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Albany on your salary?

At $3,107/mo, how Albany rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Albany rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Albany. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Albany

About renting in Albany, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Albany is $3,107/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,940/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,680/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,200/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,430/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($144,107/yr), Albany ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 23.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Albany an affordable city for renters?

Albany is considered affordable for renters. At $3,107/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($144,107/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Albany falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Albany?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $124,000/year (~$60/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,107/mo in Albany. The local median household income is $144,107/yr, meaning the typical Albany household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Albany?

Rent in Albany has increased 23.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Albany rent compare to other cities in California?

Albany is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #130 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,107/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Albany?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Albany ($3,107/mo): El Sobrante ($2,440/mo), Richmond ($2,509/mo), El Cerrito ($2,777/mo).

What percentage of Albany residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.9% of Albany households are renters, while 53.1% are owner-occupied. Albany leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Albany rent compare to the national average?

Albany's median rent of $3,107/mo is $1,142 (58%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #130 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $3,107/mo, rent takes ~26% of Albany's median household income ($144,107/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Albany 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Albany affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Albany, CA

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