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City Report · CA

San Anselmo

Pop. 12,679·67th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,657/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-2.7%
vs US Median
+$1,692
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
San Anselmo · $3,657
More expensive than 96% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,657/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$146,000/yr
Local median income
$173,641/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using San Anselmo's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,210
1 BR
$2,710
2 BR
$3,230
3 BR
$4,030
4 BR+
$4,280
Research median
$3,230/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
$43,884/yr
At $3,657/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -2.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

San Anselmo, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 70.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,679
Median income
$173,641
Median age
45.6
Renters
31.6%
Age distribution
23.7%
28.3%
14.7%
21.6%
Under 1823.7%
18–3411.7%
35–5428.3%
55–6414.7%
65+21.6%
Gender
48.7%
51.3%
Male48.7%
Female51.3%
Race & ethnicity
76.6%
White76.6%
Black1.7%
Hispanic10.5%
Asian6.1%
Other5.1%
Education (25+)
19.9%
70.6%
No HS diploma2%
HS diploma7.6%
Some college19.9%
Bachelor's+70.6%
Housing tenure
68.4%
31.6%
Owner68.4%
Renter31.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How San Anselmo, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$153,381 → $173,641
up 13.2%
Population
12,795 → 12,679
down 0.9%
Renter share
31.2% → 31.6%
+0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
72.3% → 70.6%
-1.7 pts
Median age
44.9 → 45.6
+0.7 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $153,381 to $173,641 across the same window, up 13.2% versus 2021.

Community

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View San Anselmo rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in San Anselmo on your salary?

At $3,657/mo, how San Anselmo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

San Anselmo rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in San Anselmo

About renting in San Anselmo, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in San Anselmo is $3,657/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,210/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,230/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,710/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,030/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($173,641/yr), San Anselmo ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is San Anselmo an affordable city for renters?

San Anselmo is considered affordable for renters. At $3,657/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($173,641/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. San Anselmo falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in San Anselmo?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $146,000/year (~$70/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,657/mo in San Anselmo. The local median household income is $173,641/yr, meaning the typical San Anselmo household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in San Anselmo?

Rent in San Anselmo has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does San Anselmo rent compare to other cities in California?

San Anselmo is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #67 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,657/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than San Anselmo?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than San Anselmo ($3,657/mo): San Rafael ($2,992/mo), Fairfax ($3,588/mo).

What percentage of San Anselmo residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.6% of San Anselmo households are renters, while 68.4% are owner-occupied. San Anselmo leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does San Anselmo rent compare to the national average?

San Anselmo's median rent of $3,657/mo is $1,692 (86%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #67 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $3,657/mo, rent takes ~25% of San Anselmo's median household income ($173,641/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

San Anselmo 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the San Anselmo affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near San Anselmo, CA

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