City Report · CA

San Leandro

Pop. 87,826·259th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for San Leandro, CA
Median rent (all units)
$2,509/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.4%
Month-over-Month
+1.7%
vs US Median
+$547
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
San Leandro · $2,509
More expensive than 80% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
51/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where San Leandro's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,509/mo
Expected by trend
$2,524/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,380/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,509 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

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$30,108/yr
At $2,509/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (2.4% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.4% YoY, +1.7% MoM), not inventory.
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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 → $2,509
up 17.5%
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 $2,509, up 17.5% since 2021. On the earnings side, the typical household in San Leandro, CA now reports about $101,420, up from $89,663 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 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

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

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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in San Leandro is $2,509/mo as of August 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 30% of local median household income ($101,420/yr), San Leandro ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is San Leandro an affordable city for renters?

San Leandro is considered moderate for renters. At $2,509/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($101,420/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. San Leandro slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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 $100,000/year (~$48/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,509/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 2.4% over the past year as of August 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 ($2,479/mo), and 94578 ($2,493/mo). Citywide, the median rent in San Leandro is $2,509/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 #259 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,509/mo.

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

San Lorenzo is nearby and more affordable at $2,243/mo, which is $266 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 $2,509/mo is $547 (28%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #259 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $2,509/mo, rent takes ~30% of San Leandro's median household income ($101,420/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near San Leandro, CA

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