1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Union City, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Union City, California as of July 2026. That's +18% lower than the citywide median of $2,867 and +68% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Union City
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Union City
Compare Union City's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Union City.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Union City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hayward, CA | 4.9 mi | $2,198 | $-152 (-6%) |
| Fremont, CA | 5.2 mi | $2,760 | +$410 (+17%) |
| Newark, CA | 6.9 mi | $2,270 | $-80 (-3%) |
| Castro Valley, CA | 8.8 mi | $2,100 | $-250 (-11%) |
| San Lorenzo, CA | 9.3 mi | $2,170 | $-180 (-8%) |
| Dublin, CA | 10.5 mi | $2,950 | +$600 (+26%) |
| San Leandro, CA | 11.5 mi | $1,955 | $-395 (-17%) |
| San Ramon, CA | 11.9 mi | $2,735 | +$385 (+16%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 12 mi | $2,550 | +$200 (+9%) |
| Pleasanton, CA | 13.9 mi | $2,765 | +$415 (+18%) |
| Palo Alto, CA | 14.6 mi | $3,305 | +$955 (+41%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 14.8 mi | $3,130 | +$780 (+33%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Union City — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Union City?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Union City, California is $2,350 per month. This is +18% below the citywide median of $2,867.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Union City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $94,000 ($7,833/month gross), which works out to roughly $45.19/hour at a full-time job.
Is Union City expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Union City's 1-bedroom median of $2,350 is +68% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 92th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Union City rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Union City ranks #243 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Union City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Hayward ($2,198), Newark ($2,270), Castro Valley ($2,100).