City Report · CA

San Gabriel

Pop. 38,392·187th most expensive in California·San Gabriel rents are up 5.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,796/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.8%
Month-over-Month
+0.7%
vs US Median
+$834
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss San Gabriel rents
Most AffordableMost Expensive
San Gabriel · $2,796
More expensive than 87% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
55/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what San Gabriel's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,796/mo
Expected by trend
$2,870/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where San Gabriel's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,850
1 BR
$2,080
2 BR
$2,620
3 BR
$3,325
4 BR+
$3,690
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,620/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,796 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$33,552/yr
At $2,796/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.8% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

San Gabriel, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 35.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
38,392
Median income
$90,488
Median age
45.5
Renters
49.6%
Age distribution
18%
18.8%
28.2%
16.1%
19%
Under 1818%
18–3418.8%
35–5428.2%
55–6416.1%
65+19%
Gender
48.7%
51.3%
Male48.7%
Female51.3%
Race & ethnicity
26%
60%
White12%
Black1.5%
Hispanic26%
Asian60%
Other0.5%
Education (25+)
20.8%
21.8%
21.8%
35.6%
No HS diploma20.8%
HS diploma21.8%
Some college21.8%
Bachelor's+35.6%
Housing tenure
50.4%
49.6%
Owner50.4%
Renter49.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How San Gabriel, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,035 → $2,796
up 37.4%
Income
$76,918 → $90,488
up 17.6%
Population
39,673 → 38,392
down 3.2%
Renter share
52.5% → 49.6%
-2.9 pts
Bachelor's+
33.5% → 35.6%
+2.1 pts
Median age
43 → 45.5
+2.5 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in San Gabriel, CA has increased by $761 per month, settling near $2,796 after starting the period at $2,035. Census figures show median household income at $90,488 today, compared with $76,918 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 19.8 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 39,673 to 38,392 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.2% change. About 49.6% of households rent today, against 52.5% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 33.5% to 35.6%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about San Gabriel

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in San Gabriel on your salary?

At $2,796/mo, how San Gabriel rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

San Gabriel rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in San Gabriel

About renting in San Gabriel, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in San Gabriel is $2,796/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,850/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,620/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,080/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,325/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($90,488/yr), San Gabriel ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is San Gabriel an affordable city for renters?

San Gabriel is considered moderate for renters. At $2,796/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($90,488/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. San Gabriel slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $112,000/year (~$54/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,796/mo in San Gabriel. The local median household income is $90,488/yr, meaning the typical San Gabriel household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in San Gabriel?

Rent in San Gabriel has increased 5.8% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which San Gabriel neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in San Gabriel are 91776 ($2,635/mo), and 91775 ($3,383/mo). Citywide, the median rent in San Gabriel is $2,796/mo.

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

San Gabriel is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #187 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,796/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than San Gabriel ($2,796/mo): Alhambra ($2,597/mo), Rosemead ($2,699/mo).

What percentage of San Gabriel residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 49.6% of San Gabriel households are renters, while 50.4% are owner-occupied. San Gabriel leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does San Gabriel rent compare to the national average?

San Gabriel's median rent of $2,796/mo is $834 (43%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #187 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
37%
MODERATE

At $2,796/mo, rent takes ~37% of San Gabriel's median household income ($90,488/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

San Gabriel 37%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the San Gabriel affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in San Gabriel
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near San Gabriel, CA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for San Gabriel.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google