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City Report · CA

Union City

Pop. 67,464·158th most expensive in California·Union City rents are up 17.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,941/mo
Year-over-Year
+17.5%
Month-over-Month
+2.6%
vs US Median
+$979
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Union City · $2,941
More expensive than 89% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
30/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent
$2,941/mo
Expected by trend
$2,672/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,860/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,941 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
$35,292/yr
At $2,941/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 17.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+17.5% YoY, +2.6% MoM), not inventory.
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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
43
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 → $2,941
up 29.9%
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 $2,941, a 29.9% 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 $2,941/mo, how Union City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Union City is $2,941/mo as of August 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 17.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Union City an affordable city for renters?

Union City is considered affordable for renters. At $2,941/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 $118,000/year (~$57/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,941/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 17.5% over the past year as of August 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 #158 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,941/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Union City ($2,941/mo): San Lorenzo ($2,243/mo), Hayward ($2,635/mo), Castro Valley ($2,807/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 $2,941/mo is $979 (50%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #158 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,941/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 →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Union City, CA

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