At $3,209/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
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 $3,209 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: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Hercules is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in July 2021.
Rent in Hercules changed +7.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent has risen 6 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($129,397) is $3,235 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($2,830); a 2-bedroom is $3,450.
Pinole, 2 miles away, rents for 13% less ($2,800/mo), about $4,900 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Hercules. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Hercules, CA has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Hercules, CA stood at $2,838 in 2022 and currently runs about $3,209, reflecting a 13.1% 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.
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At $3,209/mo, how Hercules rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Hercules rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Hercules. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Hercules
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Hercules is $3,209/mo as of October 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 30% of local median household income ($129,397/yr), Hercules ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Hercules?
How does Hercules rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hercules?
At $3,209/mo, rent takes ~30% of Hercules's median household income ($129,397/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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