City Report · CA

Hollister

Pop. 43,811·145th most expensive in California·Hollister rents are up 11.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,037/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.8%
Month-over-Month
+1.4%
vs US Median
+$1,072
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Hollister · $3,037
More expensive than 91% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
37/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% above what Hollister's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$3,037/mo
Expected by trend
$2,847/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Hollister's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,150
1 BR
$2,430
2 BR
$2,820
3 BR
$3,610
4 BR+
$3,990
Research median
$2,820/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$36,444/yr
At $3,037/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.8% YoY, +1.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Hollister, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 19.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
43,811
Median income
$111,834
Median age
34.1
Renters
34.6%
Age distribution
27.3%
23.6%
27.2%
Under 1827.3%
18–3423.6%
35–5427.2%
55–6411%
65+11%
Gender
49.7%
50.3%
Male49.7%
Female50.3%
Race & ethnicity
29.7%
69.3%
White29.7%
Black1.3%
Hispanic69.3%
Asian4.6%
Education (25+)
19.7%
30%
31.1%
19.1%
No HS diploma19.7%
HS diploma30%
Some college31.1%
Bachelor's+19.1%
Housing tenure
65.4%
34.6%
Owner65.4%
Renter34.6%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Hollister, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,685 → $3,037
up 13.1%
Income
$87,761 → $111,834
up 27.4%
Population
41,077 → 43,811
up 6.7%
Renter share
35.4% → 34.6%
-0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
14.9% → 19.1%
+4.2 pts
Median age
33.3 → 34.1
+0.8 yrs

Compared with 2023, rent in Hollister, CA has climbed by $352 per month, settling near $3,037 after starting the period at $2,685. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $87,761 in 2021 to $111,834 more recently. Income growth outran rent by about 14.3 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 41,077 to 43,811 between 2021 and 2024, a 6.7% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 14.9% to 19.1%. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Hollister, CA market of 2023.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Hollister on your salary?

At $3,037/mo, how Hollister rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Hollister rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Hollister

About renting in Hollister, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Hollister is $3,037/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,150/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,820/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,430/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,610/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($111,834/yr), Hollister ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Hollister an affordable city for renters?

Hollister is considered moderate for renters. At $3,037/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($111,834/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Hollister slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Hollister?

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 $3,037/mo in Hollister. The local median household income is $111,834/yr, meaning the typical Hollister household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Hollister?

Rent in Hollister has increased 11.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Hollister rent compare to other cities in California?

Hollister is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #145 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,037/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hollister?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Hollister ($3,037/mo): Newman ($1,295/mo), Salinas ($2,498/mo).

What percentage of Hollister residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.6% of Hollister households are renters, while 65.4% are owner-occupied. Hollister leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Hollister rent compare to the national average?

Hollister's median rent of $3,037/mo is $1,072 (55%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #145 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $3,037/mo, rent takes ~33% of Hollister's median household income ($111,834/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Hollister 33%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Hollister affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Hollister, CA

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