salaryRent is higher than in 83% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.5 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (65%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $96,120 a year. That is $46 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 348 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in National City?
Share of households by yearly income. 18.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in National City
| Size | National City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,309 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,576 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,918 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,175 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,458 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is National City 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 National City, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in National City
Life in National City
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in National City?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,845 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $612,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $61,220 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in National City, CA?
Renting in National City costs a median of about $2,403 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in National City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $96,120 a year, or $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is National City cheap or expensive?
National City is rated Expensive: rent takes 40.0% of the typical household income of $72,088. It ranks 348th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in National City?
The median homeowner in National City pays $3,595 a year in property taxes, about 0.59% of the median home value.
Is National City 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 National City?
The median home value in National City is $612,200, about 8.5 times the typical yearly household income.
58,893 people live in National City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.