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ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 94542

Part of Hayward, CA
Pop. 14,871·Alameda County·647th most expensive ZIP in California
Median rent (all units)
$2,456/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.6%
Month-over-Month
-1.1%
vs US Median
+$491
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 94542 · $2,456
More expensive than 78% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,320
1 BR
$2,580
2 BR
$3,150
3 BR
$4,030
4 BR+
$4,770
Research median
$3,150/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: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$29,472/yr
At $2,456/mo median
Location
StateCA
CountyAlameda County
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (5.6% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.6% YoY, -1.1% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 94542 (Hayward, CA) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 48.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
14,871
Median income
$133,734
Median age
43.1
Renters
27.4%
Age distribution
13.8%
25.7%
26.2%
17.1%
17.2%
Under 1813.8%
18–3425.7%
35–5426.2%
55–6417.1%
65+17.2%
Gender
51.5%
48.5%
Male51.5%
Female48.5%
Race & ethnicity
27.6%
31%
24.1%
White27.6%
Black11%
Hispanic31%
Asian24.1%
Other6.3%
Education (25+)
12.6%
15.6%
23.1%
48.6%
No HS diploma12.6%
HS diploma15.6%
Some college23.1%
Bachelor's+48.6%
Housing tenure
72.6%
27.4%
Owner72.6%
Renter27.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 94542 in Hayward, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,081 → $2,456
up 18.0%
Income
$121,563 → $133,734
up 10.0%
Population
16,705 → 14,871
down 11.0%
Renter share
29.3% → 27.4%
-1.9 pts
Bachelor's+
49.9% → 48.6%
-1.3 pts
Median age
37.9 → 43.1
+5.2 yrs

Five years ago, renters in ZIP 94542 in Hayward, CA paid around $2,081 a month. That figure now sits near $2,456, up 18.0% from the 2021 baseline. Median household income climbed from $121,563 to $133,734 between 2021 and 2024, a 10.0% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show ZIP 94542 in Hayward, CA losing about 1,834 residents over the five-year window, down 11.0% on net. The renter share has eased from 29.3% to 27.4%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 94542 in Hayward, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 94542

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 94542 covers Hayward, CA. The median rent here is $2,456/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,580/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,150/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($133,734/yr), ZIP 94542 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 is rent in ZIP code 94542?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 94542 (Hayward, CA) is $2,456. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 94542 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 94542's median rent of $2,456/mo is $491 (25%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 94542 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 94542 is among the more affordable ZIP codes in California, ranking #647 out of 907 ZIPs at $2,456/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 94542?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $98,000/year (~$47/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,456/mo in ZIP 94542. The local median household income is $133,734/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 94542?

Rent in ZIP 94542 has increased 5.6% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 94542 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 94542 is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,456/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($133,734/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 94542 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 94542 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 27.4% of ZIP 94542 households are renters, while 72.6% are owner-occupied. ZIP 94542 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 94542 compare to the rest of Hayward?

ZIP 94542 is more affordable than Hayward overall. At $2,456/mo, it's $159 below the Hayward citywide median of $2,615/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 94542 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 94542 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,456/mo, rent takes ~22% of ZIP 94542's median household income ($133,734/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 94542 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 94542 (Hayward, CA)

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