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City Report · CA

East Palo Alto

Pop. 29,069·68th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,603/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-0.1%
vs US Median
+$1,641
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
East Palo Alto · $3,603
More expensive than 96% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
38% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,603/mo, rent takes about 38% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$144,000/yr
Local median income
$113,493/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using East Palo Alto's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,150
1 BR
$2,550
2 BR
$3,030
3 BR
$3,810
4 BR+
$4,090
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$3,030/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,603 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
$43,236/yr
At $3,603/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 (+0.0% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

East Palo Alto, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 26.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
29,069
Median income
$113,493
Median age
36.3
Renters
50.9%
Age distribution
20.4%
28.2%
26.8%
14.2%
Under 1820.4%
18–3428.2%
35–5426.8%
55–6414.2%
65+10.3%
Gender
47.9%
52.1%
Male47.9%
Female52.1%
Race & ethnicity
18.5%
58.8%
White18.5%
Black9.5%
Hispanic58.8%
Asian7.1%
Other6.1%
Education (25+)
24.2%
23.1%
25.9%
26.8%
No HS diploma24.2%
HS diploma23.1%
Some college25.9%
Bachelor's+26.8%
Housing tenure
49.1%
50.9%
Owner49.1%
Renter50.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How East Palo Alto, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$96,349 → $113,493
up 17.8%
Population
29,888 → 29,069
down 2.7%
Renter share
52.3% → 50.9%
-1.4 pts
Bachelor's+
26.2% → 26.8%
+0.6 pts
Median age
33.7 → 36.3
+2.6 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in East Palo Alto, CA now reports about $113,493, up from $96,349 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 29,888 to 29,069 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.7% change.

Community

Discussions about East Palo Alto

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View East Palo Alto rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in East Palo Alto on your salary?

At $3,603/mo, how East Palo Alto rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

East Palo Alto rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in East Palo Alto. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in East Palo Alto

About renting in East Palo Alto, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in East Palo Alto is $3,603/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,150/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,030/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,550/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,810/mo.

At 38% of local median household income ($113,493/yr), East Palo Alto ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is East Palo Alto an affordable city for renters?

East Palo Alto is considered moderate for renters. At $3,603/mo, rent takes approximately 38% of the local median household income ($113,493/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. East Palo Alto slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in East Palo Alto?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $144,000/year (~$69/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,603/mo in East Palo Alto. The local median household income is $113,493/yr, meaning the typical East Palo Alto household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in East Palo Alto?

Rent in East Palo Alto has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does East Palo Alto rent compare to other cities in California?

East Palo Alto is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #68 out of 381 tracked cities at $3,603/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than East Palo Alto?

Newark is nearby and more affordable at $3,578/mo, which is $25 less than East Palo Alto.

What percentage of East Palo Alto residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 50.9% of East Palo Alto households are renters, while 49.1% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, East Palo Alto has a strong rental market.

How does East Palo Alto rent compare to the national average?

East Palo Alto's median rent of $3,603/mo is $1,641 (84%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #68 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
38%
MODERATE

At $3,603/mo, rent takes ~38% of East Palo Alto's median household income ($113,493/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

East Palo Alto 38%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the East Palo Alto affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near East Palo Alto, CA

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