salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 96% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.6 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 35.5 minutes each way. Most homes (89.2%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 59.1% of adults have a college degree.
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 615 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Clayton?
Share of households by yearly income. 67.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Clayton
| Size | Clayton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $2,320 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,503 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Clayton 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 Clayton, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Clayton
Life in Clayton
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Clayton?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,821 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,055,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $105,520 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Clayton, CA?
Renting in Clayton 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 Clayton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $140,040 a year, or $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Clayton cheap or expensive?
Clayton is rated OK: rent takes 22.2% of the typical household income of $189,500. It ranks 615th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Clayton?
The median homeowner in Clayton pays $8,694 a year in property taxes, about 0.82% of the median home value.
Is Clayton 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 Clayton?
The median home value in Clayton is $1,055,200, about 5.6 times the typical yearly household income.
10,937 people live in Clayton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.