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City Report · CA

Alhambra

Pop. 81,022·242nd most expensive in California·Alhambra rents are up 6.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,597/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.4%
Month-over-Month
+0.2%
vs US Median
+$635
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Alhambra · $2,597
More expensive than 82% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
44/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% above what Alhambra's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$2,597/mo
Expected by trend
$2,524/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Alhambra's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,700
1 BR
$1,910
2 BR
$2,410
3 BR
$3,065
4 BR+
$3,395
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,410/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,597 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$31,164/yr
At $2,597/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.4% YoY, +0.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Alhambra, CA is majority renter-occupied, 40.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
81,022
Median income
$88,024
Median age
41.5
Renters
58.9%
Age distribution
17.1%
22.5%
27.5%
13.9%
19%
Under 1817.1%
18–3422.5%
35–5427.5%
55–6413.9%
65+19%
Gender
48.7%
51.3%
Male48.7%
Female51.3%
Race & ethnicity
13.2%
34.9%
51%
White13.2%
Black2.4%
Hispanic34.9%
Asian51%
Education (25+)
16%
19.9%
23.3%
40.8%
No HS diploma16%
HS diploma19.9%
Some college23.3%
Bachelor's+40.8%
Housing tenure
41.1%
58.9%
Owner41.1%
Renter58.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Alhambra, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,882 → $2,597
up 38.0%
Income
$73,035 → $88,024
up 20.5%
Population
83,174 → 81,022
down 2.6%
Renter share
60.6% → 58.9%
-1.7 pts
Bachelor's+
37.4% → 40.8%
+3.4 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in Alhambra, CA has climbed by $715 per month, settling near $2,597 after starting the period at $1,882. On the earnings side, the typical household in Alhambra, CA now reports about $88,024, up from $73,035 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 17.5 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 83,174 to 81,022 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.6% change. About 58.9% of households rent today, against 60.6% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 37.4% to 40.8%. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Alhambra, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Alhambra on your salary?

At $2,597/mo, how Alhambra rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Alhambra rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Alhambra

About renting in Alhambra, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Alhambra is $2,597/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,700/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,410/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,910/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,065/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($88,024/yr), Alhambra ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Alhambra an affordable city for renters?

Alhambra is considered moderate for renters. At $2,597/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($88,024/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Alhambra slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Alhambra?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $104,000/year (~$50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,597/mo in Alhambra. The local median household income is $88,024/yr, meaning the typical Alhambra household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Alhambra?

Rent in Alhambra has increased 6.4% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Alhambra neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Alhambra are 91803 ($2,297/mo), and 91801 ($2,743/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Alhambra is $2,597/mo.

How does Alhambra rent compare to other cities in California?

Alhambra is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #242 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,597/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Alhambra?

South Pasadena is nearby and more affordable at $2,588/mo, which is $9 less than Alhambra.

What percentage of Alhambra residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 58.9% of Alhambra households are renters, while 41.1% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Alhambra has a strong rental market.

How does Alhambra rent compare to the national average?

Alhambra's median rent of $2,597/mo is $635 (32%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #242 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
35%
MODERATE

At $2,597/mo, rent takes ~35% of Alhambra's median household income ($88,024/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Alhambra 35%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Alhambra affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Alhambra
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Alhambra, CA

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