How much does it cost to rent in Redwood City, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Redwood City, CA is $3,949. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Redwood City cheaper than other California cities?

Redwood City is one of the pricier cities in California, ranking #48 out of 387 cities tracked at $3,949/mo.

When was Redwood City rent data last updated?

Redwood City rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Redwood City

Name: Average Rent Prices in Redwood City, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 82,447·48th most expensive in California·Redwood City rents are up 11.0% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$3,949/mo

Year-over-Year

+11.0%

Month-over-Month

+1.3%

vs US Median

+$1,984

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Redwood City · $3,949

More expensive than 97% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

30/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent

$3,949/mo

Expected by trend

$3,585/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Redwood City's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,560

1 BR

$3,133

2 BR

$3,737

3 BR

$4,627

4 BR+

$4,960

Research median

$3,737/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: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$47,388/yr

At $3,949/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 11.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+11.0% YoY, +1.3% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Redwood City, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 54.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

82,447

Median income

$157,814

Median age

37.5

Renters

51.4%

Age distribution

21.3%

24.6%

28.6%

13.8%

Under 1821.3%

18–3424.6%

35–5428.6%

55–6411.6%

65+13.8%

Gender

50.8%

49.2%

Male50.8%

Female49.2%

Race & ethnicity

40.2%

35.6%

18.3%

White40.2%

Black3.1%

Hispanic35.6%

Asian18.3%

Other2.8%

Education (25+)

12.9%

14.5%

18.2%

54.4%

No HS diploma12.9%

HS diploma14.5%

Some college18.2%

Bachelor's+54.4%

Housing tenure

48.6%

51.4%

Owner48.6%

Renter51.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Redwood City, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$3,005 → $3,949

up 31.4%

Income

$134,287 → $157,814

up 17.5%

Population

83,905 → 82,447

down 1.7%

Renter share

51.7% → 51.4%

-0.3 pts

Bachelor's+

52.5% → 54.4%

+1.9 pts

Median age

37 → 37.5

+0.5 yrs

The median rent in Redwood City, CA stood at $3,005 in 2021 and currently runs about $3,949, reflecting a 31.4% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $134,287 in 2021 to $157,814 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.7% since 2021, moving from about 83,905 residents to roughly 82,447. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Redwood City, CA market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Redwood City

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View Redwood City rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Redwood City on your salary?

At $3,949/mo, how Redwood City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 42.5% income

rent-burdened

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 59.9% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 52% income

severely rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 29.1% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 22.8% income

affordable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 63.9% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 70.8% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 57.5% income

severely rent-burdened

By apartment size

Redwood City rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Redwood City

About renting in Redwood City, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Redwood City is $3,949/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,560/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,737/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,133/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,627/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($157,814/yr), Redwood City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Redwood City an affordable city for renters?

Redwood City is considered moderate for renters. At $3,949/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($157,814/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Redwood City slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Redwood City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $158,000/year (~$76/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,949/mo in Redwood City. The local median household income is $157,814/yr, meaning the typical Redwood City household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Redwood City?

Rent in Redwood City has increased 11.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Redwood City neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Redwood City are 94061 ($3,600/mo), 94065 ($4,007/mo), and 94063 ($4,079/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Redwood City is $3,949/mo.

How does Redwood City rent compare to other cities in California?

Redwood City is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #48 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,949/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Redwood City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Redwood City ($3,949/mo): Belmont ($3,346/mo), San Mateo ($3,667/mo).

What percentage of Redwood City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 51.4% of Redwood City households are renters, while 48.6% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Redwood City has a strong rental market.

How does Redwood City rent compare to the national average?

Redwood City's median rent of $3,949/mo is $1,984 (101%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #48 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

30%

MODERATE

At $3,949/mo, rent takes ~30% of Redwood City's median household income ($157,814/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Redwood City 30%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Redwood City affordability calculator →

Nearby cities