ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 94303

Part of East Palo Alto, CA

Pop. 46,879·San Mateo County·25th most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$5,522/mo

Year-over-Year

+14.9%

Month-over-Month

+3.2%

vs US Median

+$3,590

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 94303 · $5,522

More expensive than 99% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,350

1 BR

$2,760

2 BR

$3,300

3 BR

$4,270

4 BR+

$4,510

Research median

$3,300/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

January. Asking rents in ZIP 94303 usually run 1.6% below trend in January and 1.1% above it in July, about $149 a month apart at today's median. Based on 6 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 94303 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2019.

Past year vs. the rest of California

Rent in ZIP 94303 changed +14.9% 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 94303 is 34.4% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 8 months in a row, and rose in 11 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($151,609) is $3,790 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($3,300); a 3-bedroom is $4,270.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 94301, 2 miles away, rents for 24% less ($4,219/mo), about $15,600 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 94303. 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

$66,264/yr

At $5,522/mo median

Location

CityEast Palo Alto

StateCA

CountySan Mateo County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 14.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+14.9% YoY, +3.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 94303 (East Palo Alto, CA) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 49.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

46,879

Median income

$151,609

Median age

39.5

Renters

42.2%

Age distribution

22.3%

22.1%

27.9%

14%

13.7%

Under 1822.3%

18–3422.1%

35–5427.9%

55–6414%

65+13.7%

Gender

49.5%

50.5%

Male49.5%

Female50.5%

Race & ethnicity

25.8%

38.2%

23.3%

White25.8%

Black6.7%

Hispanic38.2%

Asian23.3%

Other6.1%

Education (25+)

15.4%

16.1%

19.2%

49.2%

No HS diploma15.4%

HS diploma16.1%

Some college19.2%

Bachelor's+49.2%

Housing tenure

57.8%

42.2%

Owner57.8%

Renter42.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 94303 in East Palo Alto, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$4,087 → $5,522

up 35.1%

Income

$133,686 → $151,609

up 13.4%

Population

48,487 → 46,879

down 3.3%

Renter share

42.8% → 42.2%

-0.6 pts

Bachelor's+

49.1% → 49.2%

+0.1 pts

Median age

36.3 → 39.5

+3.2 yrs

Five years ago, renters in ZIP 94303 in East Palo Alto, CA paid around $4,087 a month. That figure now sits near $5,522, up 35.1% from the 2021 baseline. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $133,686 in 2021 to $151,609 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show ZIP 94303 in East Palo Alto, CA losing about 1,608 residents over the five-year window, down 3.3% on net. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the ZIP 94303 in East Palo Alto, CA market of 2021.

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About renting in ZIP 94303

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 94303 covers East Palo Alto, CA. The median rent here is $5,522/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,760/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,300/mo.

At 44% of local median household income ($151,609/yr), ZIP 94303 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 14.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 94303?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $221,000/year (about $106/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $5,522/mo in ZIP 94303. The local median household income is $151,609/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 94303?

Rent in ZIP 94303 has risen 14.9% 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 94303?

Asking rents in ZIP 94303 are usually lowest in January, about 1.6% below their yearly trend, and highest in July, about 1.1% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $149 a month. This pattern comes from 6 years of Zillow rent data.

How does ZIP 94303 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 94303 is one of the pricier among California ZIP codes for rent, ranking #25 of 898 at $5,522/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 94303 changed +14.9%, against a typical +3.2% across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks.