salaryRent is higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.8 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 30.2 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $107,880 a year. That is $52 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 435 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Montclair?
Share of households by yearly income. 29.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Montclair
| Size | Montclair | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,272 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,791 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,863 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,223 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,433 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Montclair 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 Montclair, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Montclair
Life in Montclair
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Montclair?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,252 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $569,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $56,910 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Montclair, CA?
Renting in Montclair costs a median of about $2,697 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Montclair?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $107,880 a year, or $52 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Montclair cheap or expensive?
Montclair is rated Expensive: rent takes 38.6% of the typical household income of $83,755. It ranks 435th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Montclair?
The median homeowner in Montclair pays $3,177 a year in property taxes, about 0.56% of the median home value.
Is Montclair 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 Montclair?
The median home value in Montclair is $569,100, about 6.8 times the typical yearly household income.
37,810 people live in Montclair. Numbers are typical (middle) values.