salaryRent is higher than in 86% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 9.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 30.3 minutes each way. Most households rent (59%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $100,680 a year. That is $48 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 390 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Alhambra?
Share of households by yearly income. 32.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Alhambra
| Size | Alhambra | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,615 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,745 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,195 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,605 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,494 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Alhambra overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Alhambra, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Alhambra
Life in Alhambra
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Alhambra?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,435 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $857,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $85,780 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Alhambra, CA?
Renting in Alhambra costs a median of about $2,517 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Alhambra?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $100,680 a year, or $48 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Alhambra cheap or expensive?
Alhambra is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.8% of the typical household income of $94,934. It ranks 390th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Alhambra?
The median homeowner in Alhambra pays $5,717 a year in property taxes, about 0.67% of the median home value.
Is Alhambra more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Alhambra?
The median home value in Alhambra is $857,800, about 9.0 times the typical yearly household income.
81,022 people live in Alhambra. Numbers are typical (middle) values.