How much does it cost to rent in Walnut Creek, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Walnut Creek, CA is $3,003. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Walnut Creek cheaper than other California cities?

Walnut Creek falls in the middle range for California, ranking #153 out of 387 cities at $3,003/mo.

When was Walnut Creek rent data last updated?

Walnut Creek 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

Walnut Creek

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

Pop. 70,088·153rd most expensive in California·Walnut Creek rents are up 12.5% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$3,003/mo

Year-over-Year

+12.5%

Month-over-Month

+3.2%

vs US Median

+$1,038

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Walnut Creek · $3,003

More expensive than 91% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

41/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% above what Walnut Creek's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$3,003/mo

Expected by trend

$2,878/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

Research median

$3,247/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$36,036/yr

At $3,003/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 12.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+12.5% YoY, +3.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

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 → $3,003

up 25.5%

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 $3,003, up 25.5% 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 $3,003/mo, how Walnut Creek rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 32.3% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 45.5% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 39.5% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 22.1% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 17.3% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 48.6% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 53.9% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 43.7% income

rent-burdened

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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Walnut Creek is $3,003/mo as of July 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 28% of local median household income ($130,432/yr), Walnut Creek ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Walnut Creek an affordable city for renters?

Walnut Creek is considered affordable for renters. At $3,003/mo, rent takes approximately 28% 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 $120,000/year (~$58/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,003/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 12.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Walnut Creek neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Walnut Creek are 94596 ($2,908/mo), 94597 ($2,962/mo), and 94598 ($3,413/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Walnut Creek is $3,003/mo.

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

Walnut Creek is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #153 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,003/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Walnut Creek ($3,003/mo): Concord ($2,584/mo), Pleasant Hill ($2,766/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 $3,003/mo is $1,038 (53%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #153 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

28%

AFFORDABLE

At $3,003/mo, rent takes ~28% of Walnut Creek's median household income ($130,432/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Walnut Creek 28%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Walnut Creek affordability calculator →

Nearby cities