Rents are 3% below what Richmond's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $2,577 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
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Who lives here
Richmond, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 33% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Richmond, CA has changed in 5 years
Since 2021, the typical rent in Richmond, CA has increased from $2,307 to $2,577, a 11.7% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $79,478 in 2021 to $95,391 more recently. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. Renters now make up 45.3% of households, compared with 48% five years ago. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Richmond, CA market of 2021.
Discussions about Richmond
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Can you afford rent in Richmond on your salary?
At $2,577/mo, how Richmond rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Richmond rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Richmond. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Richmond
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Richmond is $2,577/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,685/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,375/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,950/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,050/mo.
At 32% of local median household income ($95,391/yr), Richmond ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Richmond an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Richmond?
Is rent going up or down in Richmond?
Which Richmond neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Richmond rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Richmond?
What percentage of Richmond residents rent vs. own?
How does Richmond rent compare to the national average?
At $2,577/mo, rent takes ~32% of Richmond's median household income ($95,391/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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