salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 4.8 years of household income. Most households rent (76%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 70.5% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $125,080 a year. That is $60 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 531 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Emeryville?
Share of households by yearly income. 47.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Emeryville
| Size | Emeryville | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,777 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,873 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,480 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,907 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Emeryville 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 Emeryville, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Emeryville
Life in Emeryville
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Emeryville?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,069 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $604,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $60,480 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Emeryville, CA?
Renting in Emeryville costs a median of about $3,127 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Emeryville?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $125,080 a year, or $60 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Emeryville cheap or expensive?
Emeryville is rated OK: rent takes 29.7% of the typical household income of $126,284. It ranks 531st cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Emeryville?
The median homeowner in Emeryville pays $6,209 a year in property taxes, about 1.03% of the median home value.
Is Emeryville 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 Emeryville?
The median home value in Emeryville is $604,800, about 4.8 times the typical yearly household income.
13,081 people live in Emeryville. Numbers are typical (middle) values.