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City Report · CA

Milpitas

Pop. 78,578·75th most expensive in California·Milpitas rents are up 11.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,550/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.5%
Month-over-Month
+2.5%
vs US Median
+$1,599
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Milpitas · $3,550
More expensive than 96% of US cities · National median $1,951/mo
Rent Reality Score
40/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% above what Milpitas's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$3,550/mo
Expected by trend
$3,374/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Milpitas's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,650
1 BR
$3,020
2 BR
$3,500
3 BR
$4,550
4 BR+
$4,950
Research median
$3,500/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: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$42,600/yr
At $3,550/mo median
Market timing
Rents rising
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Demographics

Who lives here

Milpitas, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 58.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
78,578
Median income
$178,798
Median age
36.8
Renters
41.6%
Age distribution
20.3%
26%
28.3%
13.9%
Under 1820.3%
18–3426%
35–5428.3%
55–6411.6%
65+13.9%
Gender
52.3%
47.7%
Male52.3%
Female47.7%
Race & ethnicity
13.4%
72.1%
White11.4%
Black1.9%
Hispanic13.4%
Asian72.1%
Other1.3%
Education (25+)
13%
17.7%
58.2%
No HS diploma11.1%
HS diploma13%
Some college17.7%
Bachelor's+58.2%
Housing tenure
58.4%
41.6%
Owner58.4%
Renter41.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Milpitas, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,713 → $3,550
up 30.9%
Income
$149,312 → $178,798
up 19.7%
Population
79,593 → 78,578
down 1.3%
Renter share
36.9% → 41.6%
+4.7 pts
Bachelor's+
53.6% → 58.2%
+4.6 pts
Median age
35.8 → 36.8
+1.0 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Milpitas, CA has shifted from $2,713 to $3,550, up 30.9% since 2021. Median household income climbed from $149,312 to $178,798 between 2021 and 2024, a 19.7% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Milpitas, CA losing about 1,015 residents over the five-year window, down 1.3% on net. The renter share has risen from 36.9% to 41.6%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 53.6% to 58.2% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Milpitas, 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

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

Can you afford rent in Milpitas on your salary?

At $3,550/mo, how Milpitas rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Milpitas rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Milpitas

About renting in Milpitas, CA

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Milpitas is $3,550/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,650/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,500/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,020/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,550/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($178,798/yr), Milpitas ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Milpitas an affordable city for renters?

Milpitas is considered very affordable for renters. At $3,550/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($178,798/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Milpitas falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Milpitas?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $142,000/year (~$68/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,550/mo in Milpitas. The local median household income is $178,798/yr, meaning the typical Milpitas household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Milpitas?

Rent in Milpitas has increased 11.5% over the past year as of June 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Milpitas rent compare to other cities in California?

Milpitas is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #75 out of 384 tracked cities at $3,550/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Milpitas?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Milpitas ($3,550/mo): Fremont ($3,204/mo), Campbell ($3,238/mo), Newark ($3,318/mo).

What percentage of Milpitas residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 41.6% of Milpitas households are renters, while 58.4% are owner-occupied. Milpitas leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Milpitas rent compare to the national average?

Milpitas's median rent of $3,550/mo is $1,599 (82%) above the US national median of $1,951/mo. Within California, it ranks #75 out of 384 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $3,550/mo, rent takes ~24% of Milpitas's median household income ($178,798/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Milpitas 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Milpitas affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Milpitas, CA

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