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City Report · CA

Berkeley

Pop. 120,257·174th most expensive in California·Berkeley rents have dropped 5.8%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$2,861/mo
Year-over-Year
-5.8%
Month-over-Month
-2.7%
vs US Median
+$899
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Berkeley · $2,861
More expensive than 88% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
68/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 9% below what Berkeley's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,861/mo
Expected by trend
$3,149/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Berkeley's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,913
1 BR
$2,178
2 BR
$2,654
3 BR
$3,399
4 BR+
$4,035
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,654/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,861 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
$34,332/yr
At $2,861/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 5.8% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-5.8% YoY, -2.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Berkeley, CA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 74.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
120,257
Median income
$108,092
Median age
33.2
Renters
55.8%
Age distribution
12.7%
39.9%
21.2%
16.7%
Under 1812.7%
18–3439.9%
35–5421.2%
55–649.4%
65+16.7%
Gender
48.1%
51.9%
Male48.1%
Female51.9%
Race & ethnicity
52.2%
12.8%
20.5%
White52.2%
Black7.9%
Hispanic12.8%
Asian20.5%
Other6.7%
Education (25+)
14.4%
74.9%
No HS diploma4.2%
HS diploma6.5%
Some college14.4%
Bachelor's+74.9%
Housing tenure
44.2%
55.8%
Owner44.2%
Renter55.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Berkeley, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,704 → $2,861
up 5.8%
Income
$97,834 → $108,092
up 10.5%
Population
119,607 → 120,257
up 0.5%
Renter share
56.8% → 55.8%
-1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
73.4% → 74.9%
+1.5 pts
Median age
32.1 → 33.2
+1.1 yrs

Rent in Berkeley, CA has increased 5.8% since 2021, going from about $2,704 per month to roughly $2,861 today. Household income in the area moved from $97,834 to $108,092 across the same window, up 10.5% versus 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 4.7 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Berkeley, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Berkeley

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

Can you afford rent in Berkeley on your salary?

At $2,861/mo, how Berkeley rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Berkeley rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Berkeley

About renting in Berkeley, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Berkeley is $2,861/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,913/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,654/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,178/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,399/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($108,092/yr), Berkeley ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 5.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Berkeley an affordable city for renters?

Berkeley is considered moderate for renters. At $2,861/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($108,092/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Berkeley slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Berkeley?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $114,000/year (~$55/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,861/mo in Berkeley. The local median household income is $108,092/yr, meaning the typical Berkeley household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Berkeley?

Rent in Berkeley has decreased 5.8% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Berkeley neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Berkeley are 94702 ($2,581/mo), 94703 ($2,632/mo), and 94705 ($2,672/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Berkeley is $2,861/mo.

How does Berkeley rent compare to other cities in California?

Berkeley is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #174 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,861/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Berkeley?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Berkeley ($2,861/mo): Oakland ($2,691/mo), Albany ($2,715/mo), El Cerrito ($2,730/mo).

What percentage of Berkeley residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 55.8% of Berkeley households are renters, while 44.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Berkeley has a strong rental market.

How does Berkeley rent compare to the national average?

Berkeley's median rent of $2,861/mo is $899 (46%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #174 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $2,861/mo, rent takes ~32% of Berkeley's median household income ($108,092/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Berkeley 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Berkeley affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Berkeley, CA

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