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City Report · CA

Castro Valley

Pop. 65,001·183rd most expensive in California·Castro Valley rents are up 5.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,807/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.8%
Month-over-Month
+1.4%
vs US Median
+$845
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Castro Valley · $2,807
More expensive than 87% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
47/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Castro Valley's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,807/mo
Expected by trend
$2,768/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Castro Valley's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,850
1 BR
$2,100
2 BR
$2,560
3 BR
$3,280
4 BR+
$3,890
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,560/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,807 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
$33,684/yr
At $2,807/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.8% YoY, +1.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Castro Valley, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 44.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
65,001
Median income
$142,779
Median age
42.9
Renters
27.5%
Age distribution
20.8%
17.2%
28.3%
14.9%
18.8%
Under 1820.8%
18–3417.2%
35–5428.3%
55–6414.9%
65+18.8%
Gender
49.1%
50.9%
Male49.1%
Female50.9%
Race & ethnicity
35.9%
19.8%
33.2%
White35.9%
Black8.8%
Hispanic19.8%
Asian33.2%
Other2.3%
Education (25+)
16.8%
30.4%
44.5%
No HS diploma8.3%
HS diploma16.8%
Some college30.4%
Bachelor's+44.5%
Housing tenure
72.5%
27.5%
Owner72.5%
Renter27.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Castro Valley, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,329 → $2,807
up 20.5%
Income
$124,203 → $142,779
up 15.0%
Population
66,324 → 65,001
down 2.0%
Renter share
27.6% → 27.5%
-0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
42.7% → 44.5%
+1.8 pts
Median age
42.4 → 42.9
+0.5 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Castro Valley, CA has shifted from $2,329 to $2,807, up 20.5% since 2021. Median household income climbed from $124,203 to $142,779 between 2021 and 2024, a 15.0% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Castro Valley, CA losing about 1,323 residents over the five-year window, down 2.0% on net. Taken together, the five-year picture in Castro Valley, 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 Castro Valley

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View Castro Valley rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Castro Valley on your salary?

At $2,807/mo, how Castro Valley rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Castro Valley rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Castro Valley

About renting in Castro Valley, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Castro Valley is $2,807/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,850/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,560/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,100/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,280/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($142,779/yr), Castro Valley ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Castro Valley an affordable city for renters?

Castro Valley is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,807/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($142,779/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Castro Valley falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Castro Valley?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $112,000/year (~$54/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,807/mo in Castro Valley. The local median household income is $142,779/yr, meaning the typical Castro Valley household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Castro Valley?

Rent in Castro Valley has increased 5.8% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Castro Valley rent compare to other cities in California?

Castro Valley is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #183 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,807/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Castro Valley?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Castro Valley ($2,807/mo): San Lorenzo ($2,243/mo), San Leandro ($2,509/mo), Hayward ($2,635/mo).

What percentage of Castro Valley residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 27.5% of Castro Valley households are renters, while 72.5% are owner-occupied. Castro Valley leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Castro Valley rent compare to the national average?

Castro Valley's median rent of $2,807/mo is $845 (43%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #183 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,807/mo, rent takes ~24% of Castro Valley's median household income ($142,779/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Castro Valley 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Castro Valley affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Castro Valley
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Castro Valley, CA

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