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City Report · CA

South Gate

Pop. 91,483·335th most expensive in California·South Gate rents are up 10.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,020/mo
Year-over-Year
+10.9%
Month-over-Month
+0.9%
vs US Median
+$58
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
South Gate · $2,020
More expensive than 60% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
33% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,020/mo, rent takes about 33% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$81,000/yr
Local median income
$74,571/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using South Gate's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,600
1 BR
$1,810
2 BR
$2,290
3 BR
$2,940
4 BR+
$3,240
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,290/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,020 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$24,240/yr
At $2,020/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 10.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+10.9% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

South Gate, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, 11.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
91,483
Median income
$74,571
Median age
36.3
Renters
54.7%
Age distribution
22.6%
25.5%
26.8%
12.6%
12.4%
Under 1822.6%
18–3425.5%
35–5426.8%
55–6412.6%
65+12.4%
Gender
49.2%
50.8%
Male49.2%
Female50.8%
Race & ethnicity
95.2%
White12.8%
Black1%
Hispanic95.2%
Asian1%
Education (25+)
40.3%
26.1%
22.3%
No HS diploma40.3%
HS diploma26.1%
Some college22.3%
Bachelor's+11.3%
Housing tenure
45.3%
54.7%
Owner45.3%
Renter54.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How South Gate, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$59,647 → $74,571
up 25.0%
Population
93,308 → 91,483
down 2.0%
Renter share
55.1% → 54.7%
-0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
10.6% → 11.3%
+0.7 pts
Median age
33.3 → 36.3
+3.0 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $59,647 to $74,571 across the same window, up 25.0% versus 2021. Census counts show South Gate, CA losing about 1,825 residents over the five-year window, down 2.0% on net.

Community

Discussions about South Gate

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View South Gate rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in South Gate on your salary?

At $2,020/mo, how South Gate rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

South Gate rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in South Gate

About renting in South Gate, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in South Gate is $2,020/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,600/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,290/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,810/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,940/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($74,571/yr), South Gate ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is South Gate an affordable city for renters?

South Gate is considered moderate for renters. At $2,020/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($74,571/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. South Gate slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in South Gate?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $81,000/year (~$39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,020/mo in South Gate. The local median household income is $74,571/yr, meaning the typical South Gate household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in South Gate?

Rent in South Gate has increased 10.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does South Gate rent compare to other cities in California?

South Gate is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #335 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,020/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than South Gate?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than South Gate ($2,020/mo): Maywood ($1,595/mo), Huntington Park ($1,800/mo).

What percentage of South Gate residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 54.7% of South Gate households are renters, while 45.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, South Gate has a strong rental market.

How does South Gate rent compare to the national average?

South Gate's median rent of $2,020/mo is $58 (3%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #335 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $2,020/mo, rent takes ~33% of South Gate's median household income ($74,571/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

South Gate 33%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the South Gate affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near South Gate, CA

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