RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · CA

Hercules

Pop. 26,302·148th most expensive in California·Hercules rents are up 6.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,013/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.1%
Month-over-Month
+1.8%
vs US Median
+$1,048
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Hercules rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Hercules · $3,013
More expensive than 91% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,013/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$121,000/yr
Local median income
$129,397/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Hercules's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,490
1 BR
$2,830
2 BR
$3,450
3 BR
$4,420
4 BR+
$5,240
Research median
$3,450/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
$36,156/yr
At $3,013/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.1% YoY, +1.8% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Hercules, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 46% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
26,302
Median income
$129,397
Median age
43.9
Renters
20.8%
Age distribution
18.3%
18.9%
27%
15.6%
20.1%
Under 1818.3%
18–3418.9%
35–5427%
55–6415.6%
65+20.1%
Gender
48.6%
51.4%
Male48.6%
Female51.4%
Race & ethnicity
15.3%
18.5%
14.5%
44.6%
White15.3%
Black18.5%
Hispanic14.5%
Asian44.6%
Other7.2%
Education (25+)
13.8%
32.6%
46%
No HS diploma7.5%
HS diploma13.8%
Some college32.6%
Bachelor's+46%
Housing tenure
79.2%
20.8%
Owner79.2%
Renter20.8%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Hercules, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,691 → $3,013
up 12.0%
Income
$114,124 → $129,397
up 13.4%
Population
26,050 → 26,302
up 1.0%
Renter share
19% → 20.8%
+1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
45.1% → 46%
+0.9 pts
Median age
42.7 → 43.9
+1.2 yrs

The median rent in Hercules, CA stood at $2,691 in 2022 and currently runs about $3,013, reflecting a 12.0% increase over the period. Census figures show median household income at $129,397 today, compared with $114,124 five years earlier. The population has grown by 1.0% since 2021, moving from about 26,050 residents to roughly 26,302. Renters now make up 20.8% of households, compared with 19% five years ago. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2022.

Community

Discussions about Hercules

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Hercules on your salary?

At $3,013/mo, how Hercules rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Hercules rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Hercules

About renting in Hercules, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Hercules is $3,013/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,490/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,450/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,830/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,420/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($129,397/yr), Hercules ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Hercules an affordable city for renters?

Hercules is considered affordable for renters. At $3,013/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($129,397/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Hercules falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Hercules?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $121,000/year (~$58/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,013/mo in Hercules. The local median household income is $129,397/yr, meaning the typical Hercules household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Hercules?

Rent in Hercules has increased 6.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Hercules rent compare to other cities in California?

Hercules is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #148 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,013/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hercules?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Hercules ($3,013/mo): San Pablo ($2,255/mo), El Sobrante ($2,440/mo), Richmond ($2,509/mo).

What percentage of Hercules residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 20.8% of Hercules households are renters, while 79.2% are owner-occupied. Hercules leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Hercules rent compare to the national average?

Hercules's median rent of $3,013/mo is $1,048 (53%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #148 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $3,013/mo, rent takes ~28% of Hercules's median household income ($129,397/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Hercules 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Hercules affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Hercules
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Hercules, CA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Hercules.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.