What is the average rent in Melrose?

The median asking rent in Melrose is $2,895/mo across 4 available listings in Fairway's index. Current residents pay a median of $2,195/mo (Census estimate), which includes long-held leases.

What income do I need to rent in Melrose?

At the 30% rule, the $2,895/mo median asking rent in Melrose takes about $115,800 a year in gross income. Landlords typically ask for 2.5–3× the monthly rent.

How many people rent in Melrose?

60% of Melrose's 1,578 residents rent rather than own.

How many rentals are available in Melrose right now?

4 rentals are available in Melrose right now, across the 3 rental properties Fairway tracks there, refreshed continuously across our listing sources.

Is Melrose cheaper than the rest of SF Bay Area?

By what current residents pay (Census estimates), Melrose's $2,195/mo median is 17% below the SF Bay Area average; the comparison table above shows asking rents for 8 alternatives.

Apartments for rent in Melrose, priced and graded.

Median asking rent in Melrose is $2,895/mo across 4 available listings. Current residents pay a median of $2,195/mo (Census estimate) — 17% below the SF Bay Area average and 57% above the national one. 60% of the 1,578 people here rent. Fairway tracks 3 Melrose properties across 9 sources, refreshed hourly.

See rent by bedroom

#205Most Diverseof 528

#245Best for Young Professionalsof 528

How much is rent in Melrose?

No. of beds	Median	% of rentals	Units available	Find places
1 Bedroom	$2,895/mo	50%	2	Find places →
2 Bedroom	$2,540/mo	25%	1	Find places →
3+ Bedroom	$3,300/mo	25%	1	Find places →

Medians: live listings in Fairway's rental index for Melrose, computed at page load. Availability refreshed continuously.

Rent affordability

Household income

$/yr

Comfortable is the 30% rule; landlords here typically require 2.5–3× the monthly rent in gross income. Melrose's $2,895/mo median asking rent sits in your out of range range.

Who rents in Melrose

Census Rent Data

Rent Distribution

How much residents in Melrose pay in rent (Census data).

$1,000–$1,499

$1,500–$1,999

31%

$2,000+

64%

Is Melrose a good place to live?

Broadly yes, with trade-offs: Melrose grades B- overall — strongest on nightlife, weakest on housing.

Neighborhood Grades

Public SchoolsC+

Cost of LivingD+

Safety—

NightlifeA+

Outdoor ActivitiesA

WalkabilityA

Compare Nearby Neighborhoods

NeighborhoodAsking rentListings availableOverall

Melrose$2,8952B-

Fremont$2,08113B-

Fairfax$2,50017B

Coliseum Industrial$2,0505C+

Fruitvale Station$2,09612B-

Seminary$2,10022C+

St. Elizabeth$1,79815C+

Jefferson$2,6007B-

Lockwood Tevis—1C

Demographics & Diversity

Population, age distribution, and diversity breakdown for Melrose.

Population1,578

Median Income$79K

Hispanic

63%

White

15%

Asian

12%

Black

Two or More

Commute & Transportation

How residents of Melrose get to work.

Drive Alone51%

Walk/Bike7%

Work from Home14%

Housing Stock

Types of Housing

Housing type and age distribution in Melrose.

Home Types

Single Family

42%

Large Apt Building

33%

Small Apt Building

18%

Townhouse

Home Age

2000–Present

1980–1999

11%

1960–1979

11%

1940–1959

11%

Before 1939

64%

Renting in Melrose, explained

What is the average rent in Melrose?: The median asking rent in Melrose is $2,895/mo across 4 available listings in Fairway's index. Current residents pay a median of $2,195/mo (Census estimate), which includes long-held leases.
Is Melrose a good place to live?: Broadly yes, with trade-offs: Melrose grades B- overall — strongest on nightlife, weakest on housing.
What income do I need to rent in Melrose?: At the 30% rule, the $2,895/mo median asking rent in Melrose takes about $115,800 a year in gross income. Landlords typically ask for 2.5–3× the monthly rent.
How many people rent in Melrose?: 60% of Melrose's 1,578 residents rent rather than own.
How many rentals are available in Melrose right now?: 4 rentals are available in Melrose right now, across the 3 rental properties Fairway tracks there, refreshed continuously across our listing sources.
Is Melrose cheaper than the rest of SF Bay Area?: By what current residents pay (Census estimates), Melrose's $2,195/mo median is 17% below the SF Bay Area average; the comparison table above shows asking rents for 8 alternatives.

The honest answers.

How is Fairway free?: Properties pay us a referral fee after you move in, the same fee they'd otherwise pay a broker. You pay nothing, ever, and we're paid after your decision rather than for influencing it.
Do you have every listing, or just partners?: We search everything we can reach: the major portals, Craigslist, property management sites, and buildings that only list on their own page. Most of what you see comes from properties that pay us nothing.
Is a real person involved?: Your agent is AI. It searches, calls properties, and books tours. A human on our team steps in when something needs judgment, like a lease clause that looks wrong.
What if I already found a place?: Tell us and we'll pressure-test it: the real monthly cost, what's in the lease, and whether something better posted this week. If it's the right place, we'll say so.

Renter guides

Free for renters · Melrose

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