What is the average rent in Chinatown?

The median asking rent in Chinatown is $1,448/mo across 22 available listings in Fairway's index. Current residents pay a median of $960/mo (Census estimate), which includes long-held leases.

What income do I need to rent in Chinatown?

At the 30% rule, the $1,448/mo median asking rent in Chinatown takes about $57,920 a year in gross income. Landlords typically ask for 2.5–3× the monthly rent.

How many people rent in Chinatown?

92% of Chinatown's 7,543 residents rent rather than own.

How many rentals are available in Chinatown right now?

22 rentals are available in Chinatown right now, across the 18 rental properties Fairway tracks there, refreshed continuously across our listing sources.

Is Chinatown cheaper than the rest of SF Bay Area?

By what current residents pay (Census estimates), Chinatown's $960/mo median is 64% below the SF Bay Area average; the comparison table above shows asking rents for 8 alternatives.

Apartments for rent in Chinatown, priced and graded.

Median asking rent in Chinatown is $1,448/mo across 22 available listings. Current residents pay a median of $960/mo (Census estimate) — 64% below the SF Bay Area average and 31% below the national one. 92% of the 7,543 people here rent. Fairway tracks 18 Chinatown properties across 9 sources, refreshed hourly.

See rent by bedroom

#263Best for Young Professionalsof 528

#376Best Places to Liveof 523

#475Most Diverseof 528

How much is rent in Chinatown?

A one-bedroom in Chinatown runs $1,600/mo, from live listings across our index.

No. of beds	Median	% of rentals	Units available	Find places
Studio	$999/mo	59%	13	Find places →
1 Bedroom	$1,600/mo	32%	7	Find places →
2 Bedroom	$6,495/mo	5%	1	Find places →
3+ Bedroom	$1,150/mo	5%	1	Find places →

Medians: live listings in Fairway's rental index for Chinatown, 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. Chinatown's $1,448/mo median asking rent sits in your out of range range.

Who rents in Chinatown

Census Rent Data

Rent Distribution

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

Under $500

16%

$500–$999

38%

$1,000–$1,499

22%

$1,500–$1,999

12%

$2,000+

12%

Is Chinatown a good place to live?

Yes: Chinatown grades B+ overall — strongest on walkability, weakest on housing.

Neighborhood Grades

Public SchoolsA-

Cost of LivingC-

Safety—

NightlifeA+

Outdoor ActivitiesA

WalkabilityA+

Compare Nearby Neighborhoods

NeighborhoodAsking rentListings availableOverall

Chinatown$1,44817B+

Nob Hill$3,77390A+

North Beach$1,18330A

Downtown / Union Square$5,6506A+

Telegraph Hill$4,50011A+

Financial District$5,0008A+

Northern Waterfront$5,8355A+

Lower Nob Hill$3,39516A+

Russian Hill$5,39558A+

Demographics & Diversity

Population, age distribution, and diversity breakdown for Chinatown.

Population7,543

Median Income$35K

Asian

82%

White

Two or More

Hispanic

Black

Commute & Transportation

How residents of Chinatown get to work.

Drive Alone9%

Walk/Bike38%

Work from Home17%

Housing Stock

Types of Housing

Housing type and age distribution in Chinatown.

Home Types

Large Apt Building

75%

Small Apt Building

20%

Single Family

Townhouse

Home Age

2000–Present

1980–1999

1960–1979

15%

1940–1959

14%

Before 1939

60%

Schools

Elementary Schools (2)

A-

Gordon J. Lau Elementary

K-5 · 650 students

26:1

B-

Commodore Stockton Children Center

K · 22 students

Renting in Chinatown, explained

What is the average rent in Chinatown?: The median asking rent in Chinatown is $1,448/mo across 22 available listings in Fairway's index. Current residents pay a median of $960/mo (Census estimate), which includes long-held leases.
Is Chinatown a good place to live?: Yes: Chinatown grades B+ overall — strongest on walkability, weakest on housing.
What income do I need to rent in Chinatown?: At the 30% rule, the $1,448/mo median asking rent in Chinatown takes about $57,920 a year in gross income. Landlords typically ask for 2.5–3× the monthly rent.
How many people rent in Chinatown?: 92% of Chinatown's 7,543 residents rent rather than own.
How many rentals are available in Chinatown right now?: 22 rentals are available in Chinatown right now, across the 18 rental properties Fairway tracks there, refreshed continuously across our listing sources.
Is Chinatown cheaper than the rest of SF Bay Area?: By what current residents pay (Census estimates), Chinatown's $960/mo median is 64% 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

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