City Report · CA

Monterey Park

Pop. 59,132·229th most expensive in California·Monterey Park rents are up 6.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,649/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.0%
Month-over-Month
+4.1%
vs US Median
+$687
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Monterey Park rents
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Monterey Park · $2,649
More expensive than 83% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
53/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Monterey Park's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,649/mo
Expected by trend
$2,690/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Monterey Park's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,625
1 BR
$1,830
2 BR
$2,310
3 BR
$2,950
4 BR+
$3,260
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,310/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,649 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$31,788/yr
At $2,649/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.0% YoY, +4.1% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Monterey Park, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, 36.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
59,132
Median income
$81,855
Median age
45.5
Renters
48.4%
Age distribution
16.8%
19.8%
26.6%
13.7%
23%
Under 1816.8%
18–3419.8%
35–5426.6%
55–6413.7%
65+23%
Gender
48%
52%
Male48%
Female52%
Race & ethnicity
26.5%
64.8%
White9.3%
Black0.8%
Hispanic26.5%
Asian64.8%
Education (25+)
20.6%
23.7%
19.4%
36.2%
No HS diploma20.6%
HS diploma23.7%
Some college19.4%
Bachelor's+36.2%
Housing tenure
51.6%
48.4%
Owner51.6%
Renter48.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Monterey Park, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,880 → $2,649
up 40.9%
Income
$68,497 → $81,855
up 19.5%
Population
61,153 → 59,132
down 3.3%
Renter share
49.4% → 48.4%
-1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
33.6% → 36.2%
+2.6 pts
Median age
43.8 → 45.5
+1.7 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Monterey Park, CA has shifted from $1,880 to $2,649, up 40.9% since 2021. On the earnings side, the typical household in Monterey Park, CA now reports about $81,855, up from $68,497 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Monterey Park, CA losing about 2,021 residents over the five-year window, down 3.3% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 33.6% to 36.2% across the same window. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Monterey Park, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Monterey Park

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Monterey Park rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Monterey Park on your salary?

At $2,649/mo, how Monterey Park rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Monterey Park rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Monterey Park

About renting in Monterey Park, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Monterey Park is $2,649/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,625/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,310/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,830/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,950/mo.

At 39% of local median household income ($81,855/yr), Monterey Park ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Monterey Park an affordable city for renters?

Monterey Park is considered moderate for renters. At $2,649/mo, rent takes approximately 39% of the local median household income ($81,855/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Monterey Park slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Monterey Park?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $106,000/year (~$51/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,649/mo in Monterey Park. The local median household income is $81,855/yr, meaning the typical Monterey Park household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Monterey Park?

Rent in Monterey Park has increased 6.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Monterey Park neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Monterey Park are 91754 ($2,609/mo), and 91755 ($2,894/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Monterey Park is $2,649/mo.

How does Monterey Park rent compare to other cities in California?

Monterey Park is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #229 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,649/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Monterey Park?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Monterey Park ($2,649/mo): East Los Angeles ($2,204/mo), Montebello ($2,526/mo), Alhambra ($2,597/mo).

What percentage of Monterey Park residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 48.4% of Monterey Park households are renters, while 51.6% are owner-occupied. Monterey Park leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Monterey Park rent compare to the national average?

Monterey Park's median rent of $2,649/mo is $687 (35%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #229 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
39%
MODERATE

At $2,649/mo, rent takes ~39% of Monterey Park's median household income ($81,855/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Monterey Park 39%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Monterey Park affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Monterey Park
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 Monterey Park, CA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Monterey Park.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google