salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 93% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 10.6 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
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 580 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Redwood City?
Share of households by yearly income. 59.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Redwood City
| Size | Redwood City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,351 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,900 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,569 | $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 Redwood City overall?
Everyday prices in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area are 16% above the U.S. average (index 115.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Redwood City
Life in Redwood City
What jobs pay in Redwood City
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $219,080 | 19.2% |
| Lawyer | $212,500 | 19.8% |
| Software Developer | $186,640 | 22.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $186,610 | 22.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $184,380 | 22.8% |
| Pharmacist | $177,410 | 23.7% |
| Operations Manager | $149,990 | 28.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $146,760 | 28.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $134,460 | 31.2% |
| Police Officer | $132,000 | 31.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $130,160 | 32.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $123,250 | 34.1% |
| Firefighter | $113,700 | 36.9% |
| Accountant | $110,730 | 37.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,860 | 41.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $94,310 | 44.5% |
| Electrician | $92,830 | 45.3% |
| Carpenter | $89,200 | 47.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $78,490 | 53.5% |
| Plumber | $77,880 | 53.9% |
| Truck Driver | $66,450 | 63.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $59,790 | 70.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $57,830 | 72.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $56,080 | 74.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $48,400 | 86.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $46,030 | 91.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $43,850 | 95.8% |
| Cashier | $41,270 | 101.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $38,860 | 108.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Redwood City?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $9,000 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,801,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $180,170 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Redwood City, CA?
Renting in Redwood City 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 Redwood City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $140,040 a year, or $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Redwood City cheap or expensive?
Redwood City is rated OK: rent takes 24.7% of the typical household income of $170,202. It ranks 580th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Redwood City?
The median homeowner in Redwood City pays $9,935 a year in property taxes, about 0.55% of the median home value.
Is Redwood City more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 16% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Redwood City?
The median home value in Redwood City is $1,801,700, about 10.6 times the typical yearly household income.
82,447 people live in Redwood City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.