Rents are 16% above what Burlingame's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,921 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Burlingame, CA has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Burlingame, CA paid around $2,817 a month. That figure now sits near $3,921, up 39.2% 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.
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Can you afford rent in Burlingame on your salary?
At $3,921/mo, how Burlingame rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Burlingame rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Burlingame. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Burlingame
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Burlingame is $3,921/mo as of August 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 27% of local median household income ($174,000/yr), Burlingame ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burlingame an affordable city for renters?
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Is rent going up or down in Burlingame?
How does Burlingame rent compare to other cities in California?
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What percentage of Burlingame residents rent vs. own?
How does Burlingame rent compare to the national average?
At $3,921/mo, rent takes ~27% of Burlingame's median household income ($174,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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