salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 88% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 31.9 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $112,480 a year. That is $54 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 462 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Union City?
Share of households by yearly income. 53.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Union City
| Size | Union City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,490 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,653 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,772 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,302 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Union 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 Union City, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Union City
Life in Union City
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Union City?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,854 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,104,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $110,490 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Union City, CA?
Renting in Union City costs a median of about $2,812 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Union City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $112,480 a year, or $54 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Union City cheap or expensive?
Union City is rated OK: rent takes 23.4% of the typical household income of $144,212. It ranks 462nd cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Union City?
The median homeowner in Union City pays $8,217 a year in property taxes, about 0.74% of the median home value.
Is Union 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 Union City?
The median home value in Union City is $1,104,900, about 7.7 times the typical yearly household income.
67,464 people live in Union City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.