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City Report · CA

San Pablo

Pop. 31,720·309th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for San Pablo, CA
Median rent (all units)
$2,255/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-2.7%
vs US Median
+$290
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
San Pablo · $2,255
More expensive than 71% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
34% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,255/mo, rent takes about 34% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$90,000/yr
Local median income
$79,478/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using San Pablo's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,709
1 BR
$1,481
2 BR
$2,141
3 BR
$2,293
4 BR+
$2,789
Research median
$2,141/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
$27,060/yr
At $2,255/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -2.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

San Pablo, CA is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 16.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
31,720
Median income
$79,478
Median age
34.6
Renters
58%
Age distribution
25.4%
25.3%
27.6%
Under 1825.4%
18–3425.3%
35–5427.6%
55–6410.2%
65+11.5%
Gender
50.5%
49.5%
Male50.5%
Female49.5%
Race & ethnicity
59.8%
14.9%
White11.3%
Black10.2%
Hispanic59.8%
Asian14.9%
Other3.7%
Education (25+)
24.6%
29%
29.6%
16.8%
No HS diploma24.6%
HS diploma29%
Some college29.6%
Bachelor's+16.8%
Housing tenure
42%
58%
Owner42%
Renter58%

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

2021 vs 2026

How San Pablo, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$67,294 → $79,478
up 18.1%
Population
31,975 → 31,720
down 0.8%
Renter share
59.2% → 58%
-1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
15.2% → 16.8%
+1.6 pts
Median age
32.5 → 34.6
+2.1 yrs

Median household income climbed from $67,294 to $79,478 between 2021 and 2024, a 18.1% shift.

Community

Discussions about San Pablo

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

Can you afford rent in San Pablo on your salary?

At $2,255/mo, how San Pablo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

San Pablo rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in San Pablo

About renting in San Pablo, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in San Pablo is $2,255/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,709/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,141/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,481/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,293/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($79,478/yr), San Pablo 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 Pablo an affordable city for renters?

San Pablo is considered moderate for renters. At $2,255/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($79,478/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. San Pablo slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $90,000/year (~$43/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,255/mo in San Pablo. The local median household income is $79,478/yr, meaning the typical San Pablo household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in San Pablo?

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

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

San Pablo is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #309 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,255/mo.

What percentage of San Pablo residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 58% of San Pablo households are renters, while 42% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, San Pablo has a strong rental market.

How does San Pablo rent compare to the national average?

San Pablo's median rent of $2,255/mo is $290 (15%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #309 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $2,255/mo, rent takes ~34% of San Pablo's median household income ($79,478/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

San Pablo 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the San Pablo affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near San Pablo, CA

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