How much does it cost to rent in Burlingame, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Burlingame, CA is $3,697. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Burlingame cheaper than other California cities?

Burlingame is one of the pricier cities in California, ranking #62 out of 387 cities tracked at $3,697/mo.

When was Burlingame rent data last updated?

Burlingame rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Burlingame

Name: Average Rent Prices in Burlingame, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 30,525·62nd most expensive in California·Burlingame rents are up 7.2% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$3,697/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.2%

Month-over-Month

+3.4%

vs US Median

+$1,732

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Burlingame · $3,697

More expensive than 97% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

30/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent

$3,697/mo

Expected by trend

$3,362/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Burlingame's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,409

1 BR

$2,445

2 BR

$3,342

3 BR

$3,501

4 BR+

$3,501

Research median

$3,342/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$44,364/yr

At $3,697/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 7.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.2% YoY, +3.4% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Burlingame, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 64.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

30,525

Median income

$174,000

Median age

41.2

Renters

51.8%

Age distribution

22.4%

16.7%

32.4%

12.2%

16.3%

Under 1822.4%

18–3416.7%

35–5432.4%

55–6412.2%

65+16.3%

Gender

51.4%

48.6%

Male51.4%

Female48.6%

Race & ethnicity

53.3%

12.2%

29.5%

White53.3%

Black1%

Hispanic12.2%

Asian29.5%

Other4%

Education (25+)

19.7%

64.2%

No HS diploma5.6%

HS diploma10.5%

Some college19.7%

Bachelor's+64.2%

Housing tenure

48.2%

51.8%

Owner48.2%

Renter51.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Burlingame, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,817 → $3,697

up 31.2%

Income

$150,182 → $174,000

up 15.9%

Population

31,142 → 30,525

down 2.0%

Renter share

46.9% → 51.8%

+4.9 pts

Bachelor's+

65.1% → 64.2%

-0.9 pts

Five years ago, renters in Burlingame, CA paid around $2,817 a month. That figure now sits near $3,697, up 31.2% from the 2021 baseline. Household income in the area moved from $150,182 to $174,000 across the same window, up 15.9% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Burlingame, CA losing about 617 residents over the five-year window, down 2.0% on net. The renter share has risen from 46.9% to 51.8%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Burlingame, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View Burlingame rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Burlingame on your salary?

At $3,697/mo, how Burlingame rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 39.8% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 56% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 48.7% income

rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 27.2% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 21.3% income

affordable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 59.9% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 66.3% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 53.8% income

severely rent-burdened

By apartment size

Burlingame rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Burlingame

About renting in Burlingame, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Burlingame is $3,697/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,409/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,342/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,445/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,501/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($174,000/yr), Burlingame ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Burlingame an affordable city for renters?

Burlingame is considered affordable for renters. At $3,697/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($174,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Burlingame falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Burlingame?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $148,000/year (~$71/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,697/mo in Burlingame. The local median household income is $174,000/yr, meaning the typical Burlingame household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Burlingame?

Rent in Burlingame has increased 7.2% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Burlingame rent compare to other cities in California?

Burlingame is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #62 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,697/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Burlingame?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Burlingame ($3,697/mo): San Bruno ($3,260/mo), Belmont ($3,346/mo), Millbrae ($3,481/mo).

What percentage of Burlingame residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 51.8% of Burlingame households are renters, while 48.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Burlingame has a strong rental market.

How does Burlingame rent compare to the national average?

Burlingame's median rent of $3,697/mo is $1,732 (88%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #62 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

25%

AFFORDABLE

At $3,697/mo, rent takes ~25% of Burlingame's median household income ($174,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Burlingame 25%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Burlingame affordability calculator →

Nearby cities