City Report · CA

Alpine

Pop. 210·296th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Alpine, CA
Median rent (all units)
$2,291/mo
Year-over-Year
+0.6%
Month-over-Month
-0.7%
vs US Median
+$329
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Alpine · $2,291
More expensive than 72% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
56/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what Alpine's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,291/mo
Expected by trend
$2,365/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Alpine's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,040
1 BR
$2,210
2 BR
$2,740
3 BR
$3,660
4 BR+
$4,460
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,740/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,291 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
$27,492/yr
At $2,291/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.6% YoY, -0.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Alpine, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 51.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
210
Median income
$108,660
Median age
57.5
Renters
25.7%
Age distribution
12.9%
25.7%
19%
32.9%
Under 1812.9%
18–3425.7%
35–549.5%
55–6419%
65+32.9%
Gender
55.7%
44.3%
Male55.7%
Female44.3%
Race & ethnicity
84.3%
White84.3%
Hispanic5.7%
Asian2.9%
Other7.1%
Education (25+)
48.3%
51.7%
Some college48.3%
Bachelor's+51.7%
Housing tenure
74.3%
25.7%
Owner74.3%
Renter25.7%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Alpine, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,149 → $2,291
up 6.6%
Income
$103,503 → $108,660
up 5.0%
Population
15,648 → 210
down 98.7%
Renter share
29% → 25.7%
-3.3 pts
Bachelor's+
35.2% → 51.7%
+16.5 pts
Median age
41.8 → 57.5
+15.7 yrs

Rent in Alpine, CA has increased 6.6% since 2023, going from about $2,149 per month to roughly $2,291 today. Median household income grew from $103,503 to $108,660 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.0% shift. Headcount in the area went from 15,648 to 210 between 2021 and 2024, a 98.7% change. About 25.7% of households rent today, against 29% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 35.2% to 51.7%. Taken together, the five-year picture in Alpine, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Alpine

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

Can you afford rent in Alpine on your salary?

At $2,291/mo, how Alpine rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Alpine rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Alpine

About renting in Alpine, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Alpine is $2,291/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,040/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,740/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,210/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,660/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($108,660/yr), Alpine ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Alpine an affordable city for renters?

Alpine is considered affordable for renters. At $2,291/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($108,660/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Alpine falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Alpine?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $92,000/year (~$44/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,291/mo in Alpine. The local median household income is $108,660/yr, meaning the typical Alpine household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Alpine?

Rent in Alpine has increased 0.6% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Alpine rent compare to other cities in California?

Alpine is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #296 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,291/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Alpine?

El Cajon is nearby and more affordable at $2,275/mo, which is $16 less than Alpine.

What percentage of Alpine residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 25.7% of Alpine households are renters, while 74.3% are owner-occupied. Alpine leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Alpine rent compare to the national average?

Alpine's median rent of $2,291/mo is $329 (17%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #296 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,291/mo, rent takes ~25% of Alpine's median household income ($108,660/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Alpine 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Alpine affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Alpine, CA

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