How much does it cost to rent in Sausalito, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Sausalito, CA is $3,677. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Sausalito cheaper than other California cities?

Sausalito is one of the pricier cities in California, ranking #64 out of 387 cities tracked at $3,677/mo.

When was Sausalito rent data last updated?

Sausalito 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

Sausalito

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

Pop. 7,141·64th most expensive in California·Sausalito rents have dropped 15.6%, currently a renter's market

Median rent (all units)

$3,677/mo

Year-over-Year

-15.6%

Month-over-Month

-0.9%

vs US Median

+$1,712

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Sausalito · $3,677

More expensive than 96% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

69/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 9% below what Sausalito's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$3,677/mo

Expected by trend

$4,056/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,450

1 BR

$2,990

2 BR

$3,570

3 BR

$4,450

4 BR+

$4,730

Research median

$3,570/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

$44,124/yr

At $3,677/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 15.6% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-15.6% YoY, -0.9% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Sausalito, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 76.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

7,141

Median income

$182,357

Median age

55.6

Renters

40.4%

Age distribution

17.7%

23.9%

18.1%

33.7%

Under 186.6%

18–3417.7%

35–5423.9%

55–6418.1%

65+33.7%

Gender

41.5%

58.5%

Male41.5%

Female58.5%

Race & ethnicity

82%

White82%

Hispanic8%

Asian6.7%

Other2.9%

Education (25+)

14.2%

76.5%

No HS diploma2.7%

HS diploma6.6%

Some college14.2%

Bachelor's+76.5%

Housing tenure

59.6%

40.4%

Owner59.6%

Renter40.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Sausalito, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$3,146 → $3,677

up 16.9%

Income

$140,417 → $182,357

up 29.9%

Population

7,260 → 7,141

down 1.6%

Renter share

44.7% → 40.4%

-4.3 pts

Bachelor's+

70.9% → 76.5%

+5.6 pts

The median rent in Sausalito, CA stood at $3,146 in 2021 and currently runs about $3,677, reflecting a 16.9% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $140,417 to $182,357 between 2021 and 2024, a 29.9% shift. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has contracted by 1.6% since 2021, moving from about 7,260 residents to roughly 7,141. Renters now make up 40.4% of households, compared with 44.7% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 76.5% of adults here, versus 70.9% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Sausalito, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Sausalito

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View Sausalito rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Sausalito on your salary?

At $3,677/mo, how Sausalito rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 39.6% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 55.7% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 48.4% income

rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 27.1% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 21.2% income

affordable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 59.5% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 65.9% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 53.5% income

severely rent-burdened

By apartment size

Sausalito rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Sausalito

About renting in Sausalito, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Sausalito is $3,677/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,450/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,570/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,990/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,450/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($182,357/yr), Sausalito ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 15.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Sausalito an affordable city for renters?

Sausalito is considered very affordable for renters. At $3,677/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($182,357/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Sausalito falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Sausalito?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $147,000/year (~$71/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,677/mo in Sausalito. The local median household income is $182,357/yr, meaning the typical Sausalito household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Sausalito?

Rent in Sausalito has decreased 15.6% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Sausalito rent compare to other cities in California?

Sausalito is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #64 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,677/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sausalito?

Fairfax is nearby and more affordable at $3,588/mo, which is $89 less than Sausalito.

What percentage of Sausalito residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.4% of Sausalito households are renters, while 59.6% are owner-occupied. Sausalito leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Sausalito rent compare to the national average?

Sausalito's median rent of $3,677/mo is $1,712 (87%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #64 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

24%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $3,677/mo, rent takes ~24% of Sausalito's median household income ($182,357/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Sausalito 24%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Sausalito affordability calculator →

Nearby cities