salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 86% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.5 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 37.6 minutes each way. Most homes (79.2%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $145,480 a year. That is $70 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 651 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Hercules?
Share of households by yearly income. 51.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Hercules
| Size | Hercules | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,880 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,669 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Hercules 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 Hercules, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Hercules
Life in Hercules
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Hercules?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,702 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $769,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $76,940 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Hercules, CA?
Renting in Hercules costs a median of about $3,637 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Hercules?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $145,480 a year, or $70 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Hercules cheap or expensive?
Hercules is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.3% of the typical household income of $139,555. It ranks 651st cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Hercules?
The median homeowner in Hercules pays $7,580 a year in property taxes, about 0.99% of the median home value.
Is Hercules 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 Hercules?
The median home value in Hercules is $769,400, about 5.5 times the typical yearly household income.
26,302 people live in Hercules. Numbers are typical (middle) values.