ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 94501

Part of Alameda, CA

Pop. 63,808·Alameda County·436th most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$2,825/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.9%

Month-over-Month

+0.4%

vs US Median

+$893

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 94501 · $2,825

More expensive than 87% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,270

1 BR

$2,530

2 BR

$3,090

3 BR

$3,950

4 BR+

$4,680

Research median

$3,090/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

December. Asking rents in ZIP 94501 usually run 0.6% below trend in December and 0.4% above it in September, about $28 a month apart at today's median. Based on 10 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 94501 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in May 2016.

Past year vs. the rest of California

Rent in ZIP 94501 changed +5.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.2%.

Rent vs. income since 2019

From 2019 to 2024, rent in ZIP 94501 rose 8.8% while median household income rose 34.7% ($94,991 to $127,906). Income kept ahead of rent.

Since before the pandemic

Rent in ZIP 94501 is 15.6% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 17 months in a row, and rose in 12 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($127,906) is $3,198 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($3,090); a 3-bedroom is $3,950.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 94601, 3 miles away, rents for 22% less ($2,216/mo), about $7,300 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 94501. 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

$33,900/yr

At $2,825/mo median

Location

CityAlameda

StateCA

CountyAlameda County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 5.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.9% YoY, +0.4% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 94501 (Alameda, CA) is majority renter-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 59% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

63,808

Median income

$127,906

Median age

40.4

Renters

56%

Age distribution

21.4%

19.6%

29.9%

17.1%

Under 1821.4%

18–3419.6%

35–5429.9%

55–6412%

65+17.1%

Gender

47.8%

52.2%

Male47.8%

Female52.2%

Race & ethnicity

44.3%

14.2%

26.1%

White44.3%

Black7%

Hispanic14.2%

Asian26.1%

Other8.4%

Education (25+)

24.2%

59%

No HS diploma6.1%

HS diploma10.7%

Some college24.2%

Bachelor's+59%

Housing tenure

44%

56%

Owner44%

Renter56%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 94501 in Alameda, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,425 → $2,825

up 16.5%

Income

$101,705 → $127,906

up 25.8%

Population

63,588 → 63,808

up 0.3%

Renter share

59.8% → 56%

-3.8 pts

Bachelor's+

57.1% → 59%

+1.9 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 94501 in Alameda, CA has climbed by $400 per month, settling near $2,825 after starting the period at $2,425. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 94501 in Alameda, CA now reports about $127,906, up from $101,705 in 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 9.3 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. About 56% of households rent today, against 59.8% in 2021. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 94501 in Alameda, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 94501

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 94501 covers Alameda, CA. The median rent here is $2,825/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,530/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,090/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($127,906/yr), ZIP 94501 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 94501?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $113,000/year (about $54/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,825/mo in ZIP 94501. The local median household income is $127,906/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 94501?

Rent in ZIP 94501 has risen 5.9% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in May 2016.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 94501?

Asking rents in ZIP 94501 are usually lowest in December, about 0.6% below their yearly trend, and highest in September, about 0.4% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $28 a month. This pattern comes from 10 years of Zillow rent data.

Has rent outpaced income in ZIP 94501?

No. From 2019 to 2024, rent in ZIP 94501 rose 8.8% while median household income rose 34.7%, from $94,991 to $127,906. Rent is Zillow's yearly average; income is the Census 5-year estimate for the same years.

How does ZIP 94501 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 94501 is in the middle among California ZIP codes for rent, ranking #436 of 898 at $2,825/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 94501 changed +5.9%, against a typical +3.2% across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks.