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City Report · CA

San Marino

Pop. 12,216·6th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$7,489/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+5.2%
vs US Median
+$5,524
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
San Marino · $7,489
More expensive than 100% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
42% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $7,489/mo, rent takes about 42% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$300,000/yr
Local median income
$214,167/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using San Marino's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$89,868/yr
At $7,489/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +5.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

San Marino, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 82.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,216
Median income
$214,167
Median age
45.7
Renters
17.2%
Age distribution
23.8%
14.4%
25%
14.4%
22.3%
Under 1823.8%
18–3414.4%
35–5425%
55–6414.4%
65+22.3%
Gender
50.6%
49.4%
Male50.6%
Female49.4%
Race & ethnicity
22.7%
68.1%
White22.7%
Hispanic5.3%
Asian68.1%
Other3.8%
Education (25+)
82.6%
No HS diploma3.3%
HS diploma3.6%
Some college10.5%
Bachelor's+82.6%
Housing tenure
82.8%
17.2%
Owner82.8%
Renter17.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How San Marino, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$174,722 → $214,167
up 22.6%
Population
12,620 → 12,216
down 3.2%
Renter share
15.7% → 17.2%
+1.5 pts
Bachelor's+
80.8% → 82.6%
+1.8 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $174,722 in 2021 to $214,167 more recently. The population has contracted by 3.2% since 2021, moving from about 12,620 residents to roughly 12,216. Renters now make up 17.2% of households, compared with 15.7% five years ago.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in San Marino on your salary?

At $7,489/mo, how San Marino rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

San Marino rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in San Marino

About renting in San Marino, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in San Marino is $7,489/mo as of July 2026.

At 42% of local median household income ($214,167/yr), San Marino ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is San Marino an affordable city for renters?

San Marino is considered stretched for renters. At $7,489/mo, rent takes approximately 42% of the local median household income ($214,167/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. San Marino significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

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

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $300,000/year (~$144/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $7,489/mo in San Marino. The local median household income is $214,167/yr, meaning the typical San Marino household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in San Marino?

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

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

San Marino is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #6 out of 387 tracked cities at $7,489/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than San Marino ($7,489/mo): South Pasadena ($2,565/mo), Alhambra ($2,592/mo), San Gabriel ($2,776/mo).

What percentage of San Marino residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 17.2% of San Marino households are renters, while 82.8% are owner-occupied. San Marino leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does San Marino rent compare to the national average?

San Marino's median rent of $7,489/mo is $5,524 (281%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #6 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
42%
STRETCHED

At $7,489/mo, rent takes ~42% of San Marino's median household income ($214,167/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

San Marino 42%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the San Marino affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in San Marino
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near San Marino, CA

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