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City Report · CA

Saratoga

Pop. 30,319·11th most expensive in California·Saratoga rents are up 7.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$6,091/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.8%
Month-over-Month
+1.7%
vs US Median
+$4,126
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Saratoga · $6,091
More expensive than 99% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
57/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent
$6,091/mo
Expected by trend
$6,302/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Saratoga's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,910
1 BR
$3,270
2 BR
$3,880
3 BR
$5,000
4 BR+
$5,430
Research median
$3,880/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
$73,092/yr
At $6,091/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.8% YoY, +1.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Saratoga, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 81.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
30,319
Median income
$250,001
Median age
51.7
Renters
13.6%
Age distribution
18.9%
26.5%
17.7%
26.5%
Under 1818.9%
18–3410.5%
35–5426.5%
55–6417.7%
65+26.5%
Gender
49.2%
50.8%
Male49.2%
Female50.8%
Race & ethnicity
33.4%
59.5%
White33.4%
Hispanic2.8%
Asian59.5%
Other4.2%
Education (25+)
81.1%
No HS diploma2.9%
HS diploma5.8%
Some college10.2%
Bachelor's+81.1%
Housing tenure
86.4%
13.6%
Owner86.4%
Renter13.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Saratoga, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$4,943 → $6,091
up 23.2%
Income
$224,179 → $250,001
up 11.5%
Population
31,194 → 30,319
down 2.8%
Renter share
12.8% → 13.6%
+0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
80.6% → 81.1%
+0.5 pts
Median age
50.2 → 51.7
+1.5 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Saratoga, CA has increased by $1,148 per month, settling near $6,091 after starting the period at $4,943. Census figures show median household income at $250,001 today, compared with $224,179 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 11.7 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 31,194 to 30,319 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.8% change. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Saratoga

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View Saratoga rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Saratoga on your salary?

At $6,091/mo, how Saratoga rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Saratoga rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Saratoga

About renting in Saratoga, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Saratoga is $6,091/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,910/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,880/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,270/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $5,000/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($250,001/yr), Saratoga ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Saratoga an affordable city for renters?

Saratoga is considered affordable for renters. At $6,091/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($250,001/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Saratoga falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Saratoga?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $244,000/year (~$117/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $6,091/mo in Saratoga. The local median household income is $250,001/yr, meaning the typical Saratoga household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Saratoga?

Rent in Saratoga has increased 7.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Saratoga rent compare to other cities in California?

Saratoga is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #11 out of 387 tracked cities at $6,091/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Saratoga?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Saratoga ($6,091/mo): Campbell ($3,364/mo), Sunnyvale ($3,821/mo), Los Gatos ($4,242/mo).

What percentage of Saratoga residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 13.6% of Saratoga households are renters, while 86.4% are owner-occupied. Saratoga leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Saratoga rent compare to the national average?

Saratoga's median rent of $6,091/mo is $4,126 (210%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #11 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $6,091/mo, rent takes ~29% of Saratoga's median household income ($250,001/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Saratoga 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Saratoga affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Saratoga
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Saratoga, CA

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