ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 94530

Part of El Cerrito, CA

Pop. 26,401·Contra Costa County·566th most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$2,597/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.6%

Month-over-Month

+0.7%

vs US Median

+$665

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 94530 · $2,597

More expensive than 82% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,210

1 BR

$2,460

2 BR

$3,010

3 BR

$3,850

4 BR+

$4,560

Research median

$3,010/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

February. Asking rents in ZIP 94530 usually run 0.9% below trend in February and 1.1% above it in May, about $52 a month apart at today's median. Based on 5 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 94530 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2021.

Past year vs. the rest of California

Rent in ZIP 94530 changed +5.6% 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 9 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($128,529) is $3,213 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($3,010); a 3-bedroom is $3,850.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 94801, 5 miles away, rents for 13% less ($2,263/mo), about $4,000 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 94530. 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

$31,164/yr

At $2,597/mo median

Location

CityEl Cerrito

StateCA

CountyContra Costa County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 5.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.6% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 94530 (El Cerrito, CA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 67.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

26,401

Median income

$128,529

Median age

41.8

Renters

40.8%

Age distribution

16.6%

21.6%

28.3%

12.8%

20.7%

Under 1816.6%

18–3421.6%

35–5428.3%

55–6412.8%

65+20.7%

Gender

48.9%

51.1%

Male48.9%

Female51.1%

Race & ethnicity

45.4%

15.3%

28.4%

White45.4%

Black5.4%

Hispanic15.3%

Asian28.4%

Other5.4%

Education (25+)

17.7%

67.6%

No HS diploma3.6%

HS diploma11.1%

Some college17.7%

Bachelor's+67.6%

Housing tenure

59.2%

40.8%

Owner59.2%

Renter40.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 94530 in El Cerrito, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,186 → $2,597

up 18.8%

Income

$115,789 → $128,529

up 11.0%

Population

26,461 → 26,401

down 0.2%

Renter share

42.3% → 40.8%

-1.5 pts

Bachelor's+

65.1% → 67.6%

+2.5 pts

Since 2021, the typical rent in ZIP 94530 in El Cerrito, CA has increased from $2,186 to $2,597, a 18.8% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $128,529 today, compared with $115,789 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Renters now make up 40.8% of households, compared with 42.3% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 67.6% of adults here, versus 65.1% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

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About renting in ZIP 94530

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 94530 covers El Cerrito, CA. The median rent here is $2,597/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,460/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,010/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($128,529/yr), ZIP 94530 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 94530?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $104,000/year (about $50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,597/mo in ZIP 94530. The local median household income is $128,529/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 94530?

Rent in ZIP 94530 has risen 5.6% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2021.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 94530?

Asking rents in ZIP 94530 are usually lowest in February, about 0.9% below their yearly trend, and highest in May, about 1.1% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $52 a month. This pattern comes from 5 years of Zillow rent data.

How does ZIP 94530 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 94530 is in the middle among California ZIP codes for rent, ranking #566 of 898 at $2,597/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 94530 changed +5.6%, against a typical +3.2% across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks.