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ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 94596

Pop. 23,417·Contra Costa County·395th most expensive ZIP in California
Median rent (all units)
$2,908/mo
Year-over-Year
+10.5%
Month-over-Month
+3.6%
vs US Median
+$943
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 94596 · $2,908
More expensive than 88% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,460
1 BR
$2,740
2 BR
$3,350
3 BR
$4,280
4 BR+
$5,080
Research median
$3,350/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
$34,896/yr
At $2,908/mo median
Location
StateCA
CountyContra Costa County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 10.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+10.5% YoY, +3.6% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 94596 (Walnut Creek, CA) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 71.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
23,417
Median income
$135,635
Median age
37.1
Renters
56.4%
Age distribution
14.8%
31.4%
25.3%
17.9%
Under 1814.8%
18–3431.4%
35–5425.3%
55–6410.6%
65+17.9%
Gender
48.7%
51.3%
Male48.7%
Female51.3%
Race & ethnicity
63%
13.2%
16.1%
White63%
Black1.9%
Hispanic13.2%
Asian16.1%
Other5.9%
Education (25+)
19.6%
71.2%
No HS diploma2.3%
HS diploma6.9%
Some college19.6%
Bachelor's+71.2%
Housing tenure
43.6%
56.4%
Owner43.6%
Renter56.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 94596 in Walnut Creek, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,395 → $2,908
up 21.4%
Income
$125,731 → $135,635
up 7.9%
Population
23,046 → 23,417
up 1.6%
Renter share
57.3% → 56.4%
-0.9 pts
Bachelor's+
72.2% → 71.2%
-1.0 pts
Median age
38.9 → 37.1
-1.8 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in ZIP 94596 in Walnut Creek, CA has climbed from $2,395 to $2,908, a 21.4% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $125,731 to $135,635 across the same window, up 7.9% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.6% since 2021, moving from about 23,046 residents to roughly 23,417. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 94596 in Walnut Creek, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 94596

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 94596 covers Walnut Creek, CA. The median rent here is $2,908/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,740/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,350/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($135,635/yr), ZIP 94596 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 94596?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 94596 (Walnut Creek, CA) is $2,908. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 94596 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 94596's median rent of $2,908/mo is $943 (48%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 94596 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 94596 falls in the middle range for California, ranking #395 out of 907 ZIPs at $2,908/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 94596?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $116,000/year (~$56/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,908/mo in ZIP 94596. The local median household income is $135,635/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 94596?

Rent in ZIP 94596 has increased 10.5% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 94596 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 94596 is considered affordable for renters. At $2,908/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($135,635/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 94596 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 94596 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 56.4% of ZIP 94596 households are renters, while 43.6% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 94596 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 94596 compare to the rest of Walnut Creek?

ZIP 94596 is more affordable than Walnut Creek overall. At $2,908/mo, it's $95 below the Walnut Creek citywide median of $3,003/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 94596 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 94596 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,908/mo, rent takes ~26% of ZIP 94596's median household income ($135,635/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 94596 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
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Public schools near ZIP 94596 (Walnut Creek, CA)

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