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City Report · CA

Pleasanton

Pop. 76,960·111th most expensive in California·Pleasanton rents are up 14.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,264/mo
Year-over-Year
+14.4%
Month-over-Month
+2.6%
vs US Median
+$1,302
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Pleasanton · $3,264
More expensive than 93% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
35/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent
$3,264/mo
Expected by trend
$3,041/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Pleasanton's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,430
1 BR
$2,765
2 BR
$3,365
3 BR
$4,305
4 BR+
$5,115
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$3,365/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,264 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

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$39,168/yr
At $3,264/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 14.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+14.4% YoY, +2.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Pleasanton, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 69.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
76,960
Median income
$190,124
Median age
43.1
Renters
33%
Age distribution
23.1%
14.7%
32.4%
13.1%
16.7%
Under 1823.1%
18–3414.7%
35–5432.4%
55–6413.1%
65+16.7%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
38.4%
12.5%
43.9%
White38.4%
Black1.8%
Hispanic12.5%
Asian43.9%
Other3.4%
Education (25+)
17.1%
69.9%
No HS diploma3.5%
HS diploma9.6%
Some college17.1%
Bachelor's+69.9%
Housing tenure
67%
33%
Owner67%
Renter33%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Pleasanton, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,587 → $3,264
up 26.2%
Income
$167,932 → $190,124
up 13.2%
Population
79,558 → 76,960
down 3.3%
Renter share
32.5% → 33%
+0.5 pts
Bachelor's+
66.3% → 69.9%
+3.6 pts
Median age
41.1 → 43.1
+2.0 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Pleasanton, CA has shifted from $2,587 to $3,264, up 26.2% since 2021. Census figures show median household income at $190,124 today, compared with $167,932 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Pleasanton, CA losing about 2,598 residents over the five-year window, down 3.3% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 66.3% to 69.9% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Pleasanton on your salary?

At $3,264/mo, how Pleasanton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Pleasanton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Pleasanton

About renting in Pleasanton, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Pleasanton is $3,264/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,430/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,365/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,765/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,305/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($190,124/yr), Pleasanton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 14.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Pleasanton an affordable city for renters?

Pleasanton is considered very affordable for renters. At $3,264/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($190,124/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Pleasanton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Pleasanton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $131,000/year (~$63/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,264/mo in Pleasanton. The local median household income is $190,124/yr, meaning the typical Pleasanton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Pleasanton?

Rent in Pleasanton has increased 14.4% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Pleasanton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Pleasanton are 94588 ($3,147/mo), and 94566 ($3,439/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Pleasanton is $3,264/mo.

How does Pleasanton rent compare to other cities in California?

Pleasanton is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #111 out of 381 tracked cities at $3,264/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Pleasanton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Pleasanton ($3,264/mo): Union City ($2,941/mo), Livermore ($3,115/mo).

What percentage of Pleasanton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33% of Pleasanton households are renters, while 67% are owner-occupied. Pleasanton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Pleasanton rent compare to the national average?

Pleasanton's median rent of $3,264/mo is $1,302 (66%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #111 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $3,264/mo, rent takes ~21% of Pleasanton's median household income ($190,124/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Pleasanton 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Pleasanton affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Pleasanton
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Pleasanton, CA

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