How much does it cost to rent in Richmond, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Richmond, CA is $2,509. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Richmond cheaper than other California cities?

Richmond is among the more affordable cities in California, ranking #258 out of 387 cities at $2,509/mo.

When was Richmond rent data last updated?

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

Is Richmond a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Richmond is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (up only 2.2% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · CA

Richmond

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

Pop. 115,505·258th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Richmond, CA

Median rent (all units)

$2,509/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.2%

Month-over-Month

-2.1%

vs US Median

+$544

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Richmond rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Richmond · $2,509

More expensive than 80% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

61/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Richmond's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,509/mo

Expected by trend

$2,649/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,685

1 BR

$1,950

2 BR

$2,375

3 BR

$3,050

4 BR+

$3,613

Research median

$2,375/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$30,108/yr

At $2,509/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (up only 2.2% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.2% YoY, -2.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

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.

Population

115,505

Median income

$95,391

Median age

37.9

Renters

45.3%

Age distribution

20.8%

24.9%

27.5%

12.3%

14.5%

Under 1820.8%

18–3424.9%

35–5427.5%

55–6412.3%

65+14.5%

Gender

49.2%

50.8%

Male49.2%

Female50.8%

Race & ethnicity

21.2%

16.4%

45.5%

13.8%

White21.2%

Black16.4%

Hispanic45.5%

Asian13.8%

Other3.1%

Education (25+)

20.5%

20.1%

26.4%

33%

No HS diploma20.5%

HS diploma20.1%

Some college26.4%

Bachelor's+33%

Housing tenure

54.7%

45.3%

Owner54.7%

Renter45.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Richmond, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,307 → $2,509

up 8.8%

Income

$79,478 → $95,391

up 20.0%

Population

115,677 → 115,505

down 0.1%

Renter share

48% → 45.3%

-2.7 pts

Bachelor's+

32% → 33%

+1.0 pts

Median age

36.7 → 37.9

+1.2 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Richmond, CA has increased from $2,307 to $2,509, a 8.8% 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.

Community

Discussions about Richmond

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View Richmond rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Richmond on your salary?

At $2,509/mo, how Richmond rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 27% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 38% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 33% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 18.5% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 14.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 40.6% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 45% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 36.5% income

stretched

By apartment size

Richmond rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Richmond

About renting in Richmond, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Richmond is $2,509/mo as of July 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 2.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Richmond an affordable city for renters?

Richmond is considered moderate for renters. At $2,509/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($95,391/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Richmond slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Richmond?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $100,000/year (~$48/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,509/mo in Richmond. The local median household income is $95,391/yr, meaning the typical Richmond household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Richmond?

Rent in Richmond has increased 2.2% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Richmond neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Richmond are 94806 ($2,332/mo), 94801 ($2,368/mo), and 94804 ($2,699/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Richmond is $2,509/mo.

How does Richmond rent compare to other cities in California?

Richmond is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #258 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,509/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Richmond?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Richmond ($2,509/mo): San Pablo ($2,255/mo), El Sobrante ($2,440/mo).

What percentage of Richmond residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45.3% of Richmond households are renters, while 54.7% are owner-occupied. Richmond leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Richmond rent compare to the national average?

Richmond's median rent of $2,509/mo is $544 (28%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #258 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

32%

MODERATE

At $2,509/mo, rent takes ~32% of Richmond's median household income ($95,391/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Richmond 32%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Richmond affordability calculator →

Nearby cities