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City Report · CA

Sierra Madre

Pop. 10,940·170th most expensive in California·Sierra Madre rents have dropped 11.1%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$2,886/mo
Year-over-Year
-11.1%
Month-over-Month
+3.3%
vs US Median
+$921
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Sierra Madre · $2,886
More expensive than 89% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
24% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,886/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$115,000/yr
Local median income
$143,547/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Sierra Madre's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,010
1 BR
$2,260
2 BR
$2,850
3 BR
$3,620
4 BR+
$4,010
Research median
$2,850/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
$34,632/yr
At $2,886/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 11.1% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-11.1% YoY, +3.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Sierra Madre, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 64% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
10,940
Median income
$143,547
Median age
44.8
Renters
44.2%
Age distribution
18.8%
16.7%
24.1%
19.6%
20.9%
Under 1818.8%
18–3416.7%
35–5424.1%
55–6419.6%
65+20.9%
Gender
47.9%
52.1%
Male47.9%
Female52.1%
Race & ethnicity
56%
17.9%
17.3%
White56%
Black8%
Hispanic17.9%
Asian17.3%
Other0.9%
Education (25+)
24%
64%
No HS diploma2.7%
HS diploma9.3%
Some college24%
Bachelor's+64%
Housing tenure
55.8%
44.2%
Owner55.8%
Renter44.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Sierra Madre, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$116,884 → $143,547
up 22.8%
Population
11,253 → 10,940
down 2.8%
Renter share
42.4% → 44.2%
+1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
63.4% → 64%
+0.6 pts
Median age
48.3 → 44.8
-3.5 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $116,884 to $143,547 across the same window, up 22.8% versus 2021. Census counts show Sierra Madre, CA losing about 313 residents over the five-year window, down 2.8% on net. The renter share has risen from 42.4% to 44.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

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View Sierra Madre rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Sierra Madre on your salary?

At $2,886/mo, how Sierra Madre rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Sierra Madre rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Sierra Madre

About renting in Sierra Madre, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Sierra Madre is $2,886/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,010/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,850/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,260/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,620/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($143,547/yr), Sierra Madre ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 11.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Sierra Madre an affordable city for renters?

Sierra Madre is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,886/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($143,547/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Sierra Madre falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Sierra Madre?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $115,000/year (~$55/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,886/mo in Sierra Madre. The local median household income is $143,547/yr, meaning the typical Sierra Madre household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Sierra Madre?

Rent in Sierra Madre has decreased 11.1% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Sierra Madre rent compare to other cities in California?

Sierra Madre is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #170 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,886/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sierra Madre?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Sierra Madre ($2,886/mo): San Gabriel ($2,776/mo), Monrovia ($2,872/mo).

What percentage of Sierra Madre residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.2% of Sierra Madre households are renters, while 55.8% are owner-occupied. Sierra Madre leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Sierra Madre rent compare to the national average?

Sierra Madre's median rent of $2,886/mo is $921 (47%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #170 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,886/mo, rent takes ~24% of Sierra Madre's median household income ($143,547/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Sierra Madre 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Sierra Madre affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Sierra Madre
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Sierra Madre, CA

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