salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 85% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $140,040 a year. That is $67 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 616 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Alum Rock?
Share of households by yearly income. 50.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Alum Rock
| Size | Alum Rock | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,025 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,680 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,633 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Alum Rock 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 Alum Rock, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Alum Rock
Life in Alum Rock
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Alum Rock?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,810 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $909,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $90,950 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Alum Rock, CA?
Renting in Alum Rock costs a median of about $3,500+ a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Alum Rock?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $140,040 a year, or $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Alum Rock cheap or expensive?
Alum Rock is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.7% of the typical household income of $136,651. It ranks 616th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Alum Rock?
The median homeowner in Alum Rock pays $6,036 a year in property taxes, about 0.66% of the median home value.
Is Alum Rock 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 Alum Rock?
The median home value in Alum Rock is $909,500, about 6.7 times the typical yearly household income.
10,440 people live in Alum Rock. Numbers are typical (middle) values.