How much does it cost to rent in San Leandro, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in San Leandro, CA is $2,468. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is San Leandro cheaper than other California cities?

San Leandro is among the more affordable cities in California, ranking #268 out of 387 cities at $2,468/mo.

When was San Leandro rent data last updated?

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

City Report · CA

San Leandro

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

Pop. 87,826·268th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for San Leandro, CA

Median rent (all units)

$2,468/mo

Year-over-Year

+0.8%

Month-over-Month

+0.3%

vs US Median

+$503

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

San Leandro · $2,468

More expensive than 79% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

54/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 2% below what San Leandro's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,468/mo

Expected by trend

$2,518/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,715

1 BR

$1,955

2 BR

$2,380

3 BR

$3,055

4 BR+

$3,620

Research median

$2,380/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

$29,616/yr

At $2,468/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.8% YoY, +0.3% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

San Leandro, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 33.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

87,826

Median income

$101,420

Median age

41.9

Renters

41.9%

Age distribution

18%

21.2%

29.1%

12.8%

18.9%

Under 1818%

18–3421.2%

35–5429.1%

55–6412.8%

65+18.9%

Gender

49.3%

50.7%

Male49.3%

Female50.7%

Race & ethnicity

22.9%

29.3%

35.9%

White22.9%

Black10.1%

Hispanic29.3%

Asian35.9%

Other1.7%

Education (25+)

17.8%

21.8%

27.1%

33.3%

No HS diploma17.8%

HS diploma21.8%

Some college27.1%

Bachelor's+33.3%

Housing tenure

58.1%

41.9%

Owner58.1%

Renter41.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How San Leandro, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,136 → $2,468

up 15.5%

Income

$89,663 → $101,420

up 13.1%

Population

91,176 → 87,826

down 3.7%

Renter share

42.7% → 41.9%

-0.8 pts

Bachelor's+

32.2% → 33.3%

+1.1 pts

Median age

40.9 → 41.9

+1.0 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in San Leandro, CA has shifted from $2,136 to $2,468, up 15.5% since 2021. On the earnings side, the typical household in San Leandro, CA now reports about $101,420, up from $89,663 in 2021. Census counts show San Leandro, CA losing about 3,350 residents over the five-year window, down 3.7% on net. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and San Leandro, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about San Leandro

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View San Leandro rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in San Leandro on your salary?

At $2,468/mo, how San Leandro rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 26.6% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 37.4% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 32.5% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 18.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 14.2% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 40% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 44.3% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 35.9% income

stretched

By apartment size

San Leandro rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in San Leandro

About renting in San Leandro, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in San Leandro is $2,468/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,715/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,380/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,955/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,055/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($101,420/yr), San Leandro ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is San Leandro an affordable city for renters?

San Leandro is considered affordable for renters. At $2,468/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($101,420/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. San Leandro falls comfortably within that range.

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

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $99,000/year (~$48/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,468/mo in San Leandro. The local median household income is $101,420/yr, meaning the typical San Leandro household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in San Leandro?

Rent in San Leandro has increased 0.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which San Leandro neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in San Leandro are 94577 ($2,422/mo), and 94578 ($2,498/mo). Citywide, the median rent in San Leandro is $2,468/mo.

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

San Leandro is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #268 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,468/mo.

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

San Lorenzo is nearby and more affordable at $2,238/mo, which is $230 less than San Leandro.

What percentage of San Leandro residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 41.9% of San Leandro households are renters, while 58.1% are owner-occupied. San Leandro leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does San Leandro rent compare to the national average?

San Leandro's median rent of $2,468/mo is $503 (26%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #268 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

29%

AFFORDABLE

At $2,468/mo, rent takes ~29% of San Leandro's median household income ($101,420/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

San Leandro 29%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the San Leandro affordability calculator →

Nearby cities