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City Report · CA

Monte Sereno

Pop. 3,461·4th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$7,150/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
+$5,185
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Monte Sereno · $7,150
More expensive than 100% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
34% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $7,150/mo, rent takes about 34% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$286,000/yr
Local median income
$250,001/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Monte Sereno's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: March 14, 2026

Annual cost
$85,800/yr
At $7,150/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, +0.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Monte Sereno, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 84.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
3,461
Median income
$250,001
Median age
54.3
Renters
2.6%
Age distribution
19.5%
21%
19.7%
29.8%
Under 1819.5%
18–3410%
35–5421%
55–6419.7%
65+29.8%
Gender
51%
49%
Male51%
Female49%
Race & ethnicity
71.6%
16.6%
White71.6%
Black0.7%
Hispanic7.9%
Asian16.6%
Other3.2%
Education (25+)
84.7%
No HS diploma1.1%
HS diploma3.3%
Some college10.9%
Bachelor's+84.7%
Housing tenure
97.4%
Owner97.4%
Renter2.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Monte Sereno, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$250,001 → $250,001
up 0.0%
Population
3,502 → 3,461
down 1.2%
Renter share
6% → 2.6%
-3.4 pts
Bachelor's+
81.6% → 84.7%
+3.1 pts
Median age
51.1 → 54.3
+3.2 yrs

Median household income rose from $250,001 to $250,001 between 2021 and 2024, a 0.0% shift. The population has contracted by 1.2% since 2021, moving from about 3,502 residents to roughly 3,461. Renters now make up 2.6% of households, compared with 6% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 84.7% of adults here, versus 81.6% in 2021.

Community

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View Monte Sereno rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Monte Sereno on your salary?

At $7,150/mo, how Monte Sereno rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Local insights

Tips for renters in Monte Sereno

About renting in Monte Sereno, CA

Last updated: March 14, 2026

The median rent in Monte Sereno is $7,150/mo as of March 2026.

At 34% of local median household income ($250,001/yr), Monte Sereno ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Monte Sereno an affordable city for renters?

Monte Sereno is considered moderate for renters. At $7,150/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($250,001/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Monte Sereno slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Monte Sereno?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $286,000/year (~$138/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $7,150/mo in Monte Sereno. The local median household income is $250,001/yr, meaning the typical Monte Sereno household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Monte Sereno?

Rent in Monte Sereno has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of March 2026.

How does Monte Sereno rent compare to other cities in California?

Monte Sereno is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #4 out of 405 tracked cities at $7,150/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Monte Sereno?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Monte Sereno ($7,150/mo): Campbell ($3,364/mo), Santa Clara ($3,890/mo), Los Gatos ($4,242/mo).

What percentage of Monte Sereno residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 2.6% of Monte Sereno households are renters, while 97.4% are owner-occupied. Monte Sereno leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Monte Sereno rent compare to the national average?

Monte Sereno's median rent of $7,150/mo is $5,185 (264%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #4 out of 405 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $7,150/mo, rent takes ~34% of Monte Sereno's median household income ($250,001/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Monte Sereno 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Monte Sereno affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Monte Sereno, CA

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