Rents are 17% above what San Carlos's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.
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 $4,554 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
San Carlos, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 70.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How San Carlos, CA has changed in 5 years
Since 2021, the typical rent in San Carlos, CA has increased from $3,021 to $4,554, a 50.7% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $237,470 today, compared with $204,570 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 3.7% since 2021, moving from about 30,754 residents to roughly 29,614. Renters now make up 32.2% of households, compared with 29.6% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 70.2% of adults here, versus 67.7% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.
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Can you afford rent in San Carlos on your salary?
At $4,554/mo, how San Carlos rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
San Carlos rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in San Carlos. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in San Carlos
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in San Carlos is $4,554/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,430/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,550/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,970/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,430/mo.
At 23% of local median household income ($237,470/yr), San Carlos ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 20.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is San Carlos an affordable city for renters?
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Is rent going up or down in San Carlos?
How does San Carlos rent compare to other cities in California?
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What percentage of San Carlos residents rent vs. own?
How does San Carlos rent compare to the national average?
At $4,554/mo, rent takes ~23% of San Carlos's median household income ($237,470/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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