ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 94044

Part of Pacifica, CA

Pop. 37,274·San Mateo County·161st most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$3,594/mo

Year-over-Year

+9.8%

Month-over-Month

+2.7%

vs US Median

+$1,662

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 94044 · $3,594

More expensive than 96% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,820

1 BR

$3,380

2 BR

$4,090

3 BR

$5,220

4 BR+

$5,420

Research median

$4,090/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

Cheapest month to sign

April. Asking rents in ZIP 94044 usually run 0.6% below trend in April and 1.1% above it in October, about $61 a month apart at today's median. Based on 6 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 94044 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2019.

Past year vs. the rest of California

Rent in ZIP 94044 changed +9.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.2%.

Since before the pandemic

Rent in ZIP 94044 is 21.7% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($160,408) is $4,010 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($3,380); a 2-bedroom is $4,090.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 94015, 5 miles away, rents for 18% less ($2,963/mo), about $7,600 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 94044. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$43,128/yr

At $3,594/mo median

Location

CityPacifica

StateCA

CountySan Mateo County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 9.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+9.8% YoY, +2.7% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 94044 (Pacifica, CA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 48.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

37,274

Median income

$160,408

Median age

44.6

Renters

32.4%

Age distribution

18.2%

16.9%

30.3%

14.2%

20.4%

Under 1818.2%

18–3416.9%

35–5430.3%

55–6414.2%

65+20.4%

Gender

50.1%

49.9%

Male50.1%

Female49.9%

Race & ethnicity

52%

19.5%

22.2%

White52%

Black1.2%

Hispanic19.5%

Asian22.2%

Other5%

Education (25+)

16.6%

30%

48.9%

No HS diploma4.6%

HS diploma16.6%

Some college30%

Bachelor's+48.9%

Housing tenure

67.6%

32.4%

Owner67.6%

Renter32.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 94044 in Pacifica, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,780 → $3,594

up 29.3%

Income

$138,381 → $160,408

up 15.9%

Population

38,609 → 37,274

down 3.5%

Renter share

31.3% → 32.4%

+1.1 pts

Bachelor's+

47.2% → 48.9%

+1.7 pts

Median age

43.4 → 44.6

+1.2 yrs

Rent in ZIP 94044 in Pacifica, CA has increased 29.3% since 2021, going from about $2,780 per month to roughly $3,594 today. Household income in the area moved from $138,381 to $160,408 across the same window, up 15.9% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 13.4 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 38,609 to 37,274 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.5% change. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 94044 in Pacifica, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 94044

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 94044 covers Pacifica, CA. The median rent here is $3,594/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $3,380/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $4,090/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($160,408/yr), ZIP 94044 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 94044?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $144,000/year (about $69/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,594/mo in ZIP 94044. The local median household income is $160,408/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 94044?

Rent in ZIP 94044 has risen 9.8% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2019.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 94044?

Asking rents in ZIP 94044 are usually lowest in April, about 0.6% below their yearly trend, and highest in October, about 1.1% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $61 a month. This pattern comes from 6 years of Zillow rent data.

How does ZIP 94044 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 94044 is one of the pricier among California ZIP codes for rent, ranking #161 of 898 at $3,594/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 94044 changed +9.8%, against a typical +3.2% across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks.