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City Report · CA

Walnut Creek

Pop. 70,088·152nd most expensive in California·Walnut Creek rents are up 11.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,969/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.2%
Month-over-Month
-1.1%
vs US Median
+$1,007
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Walnut Creek · $2,969
More expensive than 90% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
44/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% above what Walnut Creek's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$2,969/mo
Expected by trend
$2,879/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Walnut Creek's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,343
1 BR
$2,667
2 BR
$3,247
3 BR
$4,153
4 BR+
$4,937
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$3,247/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,969 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
$35,628/yr
At $2,969/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.2% YoY, -1.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Walnut Creek, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 70.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
70,088
Median income
$130,432
Median age
46.8
Renters
35.6%
Age distribution
15.5%
20%
23.7%
29.5%
Under 1815.5%
18–3420%
35–5423.7%
55–6411.4%
65+29.5%
Gender
47.7%
52.3%
Male47.7%
Female52.3%
Race & ethnicity
64%
12.4%
17.3%
White64%
Black1.9%
Hispanic12.4%
Asian17.3%
Other4.5%
Education (25+)
17.9%
70.4%
No HS diploma2.8%
HS diploma8.9%
Some college17.9%
Bachelor's+70.4%
Housing tenure
64.4%
35.6%
Owner64.4%
Renter35.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Walnut Creek, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,392 → $2,969
up 24.1%
Income
$121,205 → $130,432
up 7.6%
Population
69,876 → 70,088
up 0.3%
Renter share
35.5% → 35.6%
+0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
70% → 70.4%
+0.4 pts
Median age
47.8 → 46.8
-1.0 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Walnut Creek, CA has shifted from $2,392 to $2,969, up 24.1% since 2021. On the earnings side, the typical household in Walnut Creek, CA now reports about $130,432, up from $121,205 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Walnut Creek, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Walnut Creek

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View Walnut Creek rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Walnut Creek on your salary?

At $2,969/mo, how Walnut Creek rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Walnut Creek rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Walnut Creek. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Walnut Creek

About renting in Walnut Creek, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Walnut Creek is $2,969/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,343/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,247/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,667/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,153/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($130,432/yr), Walnut Creek ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Walnut Creek an affordable city for renters?

Walnut Creek is considered affordable for renters. At $2,969/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($130,432/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Walnut Creek falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Walnut Creek?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $119,000/year (~$57/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,969/mo in Walnut Creek. The local median household income is $130,432/yr, meaning the typical Walnut Creek household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Walnut Creek?

Rent in Walnut Creek has increased 11.2% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Walnut Creek neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Walnut Creek are 94597 ($2,811/mo), 94596 ($2,939/mo), and 94598 ($3,320/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Walnut Creek is $2,969/mo.

How does Walnut Creek rent compare to other cities in California?

Walnut Creek is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #152 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,969/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Walnut Creek?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Walnut Creek ($2,969/mo): Concord ($2,599/mo), Pleasant Hill ($2,759/mo).

What percentage of Walnut Creek residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.6% of Walnut Creek households are renters, while 64.4% are owner-occupied. Walnut Creek leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Walnut Creek rent compare to the national average?

Walnut Creek's median rent of $2,969/mo is $1,007 (51%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #152 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,969/mo, rent takes ~27% of Walnut Creek's median household income ($130,432/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Walnut Creek 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Walnut Creek affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Walnut Creek
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Walnut Creek, CA

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