How much does it cost to rent in Union City, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Union City, CA is $2,867. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Union City cheaper than other California cities?

Union City falls in the middle range for California, ranking #178 out of 387 cities at $2,867/mo.

When was Union City rent data last updated?

Union City 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

Union City

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

Pop. 67,464·178th most expensive in California·Union City rents are up 15.3% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,867/mo

Year-over-Year

+15.3%

Month-over-Month

+3.2%

vs US Median

+$902

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Union City · $2,867

More expensive than 88% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

35/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% above what Union City's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$2,867/mo

Expected by trend

$2,673/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,070

1 BR

$2,350

2 BR

$2,860

3 BR

$3,660

4 BR+

$4,350

Research median

$2,860/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

$34,404/yr

At $2,867/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 15.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+15.3% YoY, +3.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Union City, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 45.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

67,464

Median income

$133,715

Median age

Renters

35.3%

Age distribution

17%

21.8%

28.1%

13.7%

19.4%

Under 1817%

18–3421.8%

35–5428.1%

55–6413.7%

65+19.4%

Gender

49.8%

50.2%

Male49.8%

Female50.2%

Race & ethnicity

16.1%

20.2%

57.5%

White16.1%

Black4.5%

Hispanic20.2%

Asian57.5%

Other1.7%

Education (25+)

13.4%

18.5%

23%

45.1%

No HS diploma13.4%

HS diploma18.5%

Some college23%

Bachelor's+45.1%

Housing tenure

64.7%

35.3%

Owner64.7%

Renter35.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Union City, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,264 → $2,867

up 26.6%

Income

$127,828 → $133,715

up 4.6%

Population

70,828 → 67,464

down 4.7%

Renter share

34.4% → 35.3%

+0.9 pts

Bachelor's+

41.8% → 45.1%

+3.3 pts

Median age

40.8 → 43

+2.2 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Union City, CA has increased from $2,264 to $2,867, a 26.6% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $133,715 today, compared with $127,828 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 4.7% since 2021, moving from about 70,828 residents to roughly 67,464. College-educated residents now make up 45.1% of adults here, versus 41.8% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Union City

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View Union City rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Union City on your salary?

At $2,867/mo, how Union City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 30.9% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 43.5% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 37.7% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 21.1% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 16.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 46.4% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 51.4% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 41.7% income

rent-burdened

By apartment size

Union City rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Union City

About renting in Union City, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Union City is $2,867/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,070/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,860/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,350/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,660/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($133,715/yr), Union City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 15.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Union City an affordable city for renters?

Union City is considered affordable for renters. At $2,867/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($133,715/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Union City falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Union City?

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 $2,867/mo in Union City. The local median household income is $133,715/yr, meaning the typical Union City household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Union City?

Rent in Union City has increased 15.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Union City rent compare to other cities in California?

Union City is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #178 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,867/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Union City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Union City ($2,867/mo): San Lorenzo ($2,238/mo), Hayward ($2,615/mo), Castro Valley ($2,767/mo).

What percentage of Union City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.3% of Union City households are renters, while 64.7% are owner-occupied. Union City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Union City rent compare to the national average?

Union City's median rent of $2,867/mo is $902 (46%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #178 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

26%

AFFORDABLE

At $2,867/mo, rent takes ~26% of Union City's median household income ($133,715/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Union City 26%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Union City affordability calculator →

Nearby cities