What is the average rent in Downtown / Union Square?

The median asking rent in Downtown / Union Square is $5,650/mo across 6 available listings in Fairway's index. Current residents pay a median of $1,499/mo (Census estimate), which includes long-held leases.

What income do I need to rent in Downtown / Union Square?

At the 30% rule, the $5,650/mo median asking rent in Downtown / Union Square takes about $226,000 a year in gross income. Landlords typically ask for 2.5–3× the monthly rent.

How many people rent in Downtown / Union Square?

83% of Downtown / Union Square's 1,763 residents rent rather than own.

How many rentals are available in Downtown / Union Square right now?

6 rentals are available in Downtown / Union Square right now, across the 7 rental properties Fairway tracks there, refreshed continuously across our listing sources.

Is Downtown / Union Square cheaper than the rest of SF Bay Area?

By what current residents pay (Census estimates), Downtown / Union Square's $1,499/mo median is 43% below the SF Bay Area average; the comparison table above shows asking rents for 8 alternatives.

Apartments for rent in Downtown / Union Square, priced and graded.

Median asking rent in Downtown / Union Square is $5,650/mo across 6 available listings. Current residents pay a median of $1,499/mo (Census estimate) — 43% below the SF Bay Area average and 7% above the national one. 83% of the 1,763 people here rent. Fairway tracks 7 Downtown / Union Square properties across 9 sources, refreshed hourly.

See rent by bedroom

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How much is rent in Downtown / Union Square?

No. of beds	Median	% of rentals	Units available	Find places
Studio	$1,650/mo	33%	2	Find places →
1 Bedroom	$5,650/mo	33%	2	Find places →
2 Bedroom	$16,495/mo	33%	2	Find places →

Medians: live listings in Fairway's rental index for Downtown / Union Square, 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. Downtown / Union Square's $5,650/mo median asking rent sits in your out of range range.

Who rents in Downtown / Union Square

Census Rent Data

Rent Distribution

How much residents in Downtown / Union Square pay in rent (Census data).

Under $500

23%

$500–$999

18%

$1,000–$1,499

22%

$1,500–$1,999

20%

$2,000+

17%

Is Downtown / Union Square a good place to live?

Yes: Downtown / Union Square grades A+ 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

Downtown / Union Square$5,6506A+

Chinatown$1,44817B+

Lower Nob Hill$3,39516A+

Tenderloin—1A-

Nob Hill$3,77390A+

Financial District$5,0008A+

South of Market$4,775170A+

North Beach$1,18330A

Polk Gulch$4,44822A+

Demographics & Diversity

Population, age distribution, and diversity breakdown for Downtown / Union Square.

Population1,763

Median Income$72K

White

38%

Hispanic

29%

Asian

26%

Black

Two or More

Commute & Transportation

How residents of Downtown / Union Square get to work.

Drive Alone13%

Walk/Bike37%

Work from Home23%

Housing Stock

Types of Housing

Housing type and age distribution in Downtown / Union Square.

Home Types

Large Apt Building

94%

Small Apt Building

Mobile Home

Single Family

Home Age

2000–Present

10%

1980–1999

10%

1960–1979

1940–1959

Before 1939

67%

Renting in Downtown / Union Square, explained

What is the average rent in Downtown / Union Square?: The median asking rent in Downtown / Union Square is $5,650/mo across 6 available listings in Fairway's index. Current residents pay a median of $1,499/mo (Census estimate), which includes long-held leases.
Is Downtown / Union Square a good place to live?: Yes: Downtown / Union Square grades A+ overall — strongest on walkability, weakest on housing.
What income do I need to rent in Downtown / Union Square?: At the 30% rule, the $5,650/mo median asking rent in Downtown / Union Square takes about $226,000 a year in gross income. Landlords typically ask for 2.5–3× the monthly rent.
How many people rent in Downtown / Union Square?: 83% of Downtown / Union Square's 1,763 residents rent rather than own.
How many rentals are available in Downtown / Union Square right now?: 6 rentals are available in Downtown / Union Square right now, across the 7 rental properties Fairway tracks there, refreshed continuously across our listing sources.
Is Downtown / Union Square cheaper than the rest of SF Bay Area?: By what current residents pay (Census estimates), Downtown / Union Square's $1,499/mo median is 43% 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 · Downtown / Union Square

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