ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 93901

Part of Salinas, CA

Pop. 29,724·Monterey County·645th most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$2,420/mo

Year-over-Year

+4.5%

Month-over-Month

+1.2%

vs US Median

+$488

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 93901 · $2,420

More expensive than 78% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,180

1 BR

$2,240

2 BR

$2,690

3 BR

$3,630

4 BR+

$3,950

Research median

$2,690/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 93901 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in August 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of California

Rent in ZIP 93901 changed +4.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.2%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 6 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($91,233) is $2,281 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($2,240); a 2-bedroom is $2,690.

Rank in Salinas

2nd cheapest of 3 ZIP codes in Salinas.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 93901. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$29,040/yr

At $2,420/mo median

Location

CitySalinas

StateCA

CountyMonterey County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 4.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+4.5% YoY, +1.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 93901 (Salinas, CA) is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 29.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

29,724

Median income

$91,233

Median age

37.3

Renters

56.6%

Age distribution

25.4%

21.7%

23.1%

13.1%

16.7%

Under 1825.4%

18–3421.7%

35–5423.1%

55–6413.1%

65+16.7%

Gender

48.5%

51.5%

Male48.5%

Female51.5%

Race & ethnicity

36.8%

62.6%

White36.8%

Black1.2%

Hispanic62.6%

Asian5.8%

Education (25+)

19.6%

20.2%

31%

29.1%

No HS diploma19.6%

HS diploma20.2%

Some college31%

Bachelor's+29.1%

Housing tenure

43.4%

56.6%

Owner43.4%

Renter56.6%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 93901 in Salinas, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,036 → $2,420

up 18.9%

Income

$78,290 → $91,233

up 16.5%

Population

29,295 → 29,724

up 1.5%

Renter share

53% → 56.6%

+3.6 pts

Bachelor's+

28.2% → 29.1%

+0.9 pts

Median age

36.1 → 37.3

+1.2 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in ZIP 93901 in Salinas, CA has shifted from $2,036 to $2,420, up 18.9% since 2023. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 93901 in Salinas, CA now reports about $91,233, up from $78,290 in 2021. Census counts show ZIP 93901 in Salinas, CA adding about 429 residents over the five-year window, up 1.5% on net. The renter share has risen from 53% to 56.6%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 93901 in Salinas, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

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About renting in ZIP 93901

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 93901 covers Salinas, CA. The median rent here is $2,420/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,240/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,690/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($91,233/yr), ZIP 93901 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 93901?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $97,000/year (about $47/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,420/mo in ZIP 93901. The local median household income is $91,233/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 93901?

Rent in ZIP 93901 has risen 4.5% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in August 2022.

How does ZIP 93901 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 93901 is one of the more affordable among California ZIP codes for rent, ranking #645 of 898 at $2,420/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 93901 changed +4.4%, against a typical +3.2% across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks.