Rents are 15% above what Mountain View's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.
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 $4,416 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: August 17, 2026
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Mountain View, CA is majority renter-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 75% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Mountain View, CA has changed in 5 years
Since 2021, the typical rent in Mountain View, CA has increased from $3,181 to $4,416, a 38.8% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $158,104 to $189,917 across the same window, up 20.1% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.6% since 2021, moving from about 82,409 residents to roughly 83,732. College-educated residents now make up 75% of adults here, versus 72.1% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Mountain View, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
Discussions about Mountain View
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Mountain View on your salary?
At $4,416/mo, how Mountain View rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Mountain View rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Mountain View. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Mountain View
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Mountain View is $4,416/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,890/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,823/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,303/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,963/mo.
At 28% of local median household income ($189,917/yr), Mountain View ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 13.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mountain View an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Mountain View?
Is rent going up or down in Mountain View?
Which Mountain View neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Mountain View rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Mountain View?
What percentage of Mountain View residents rent vs. own?
How does Mountain View rent compare to the national average?
At $4,416/mo, rent takes ~28% of Mountain View's median household income ($189,917/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Mountain View.
No discussions yet.
