Alhambra Real Estate Market Intelligence
Alhambra is a city in California located within the San Gabriel Valley region. The city's housing market is characterized by a median home value of $761,729, with the average home size being 1,075 square feet. The homeownership rate is 42.9%, indicating a significant rental market, which is reflected in the renter-occupied rate of 57.1% and a median gross rent of $1,773 per month. The median household income for residents is $81,298.
The local mortgage market shows strong activity with 9,682 total home loan originations. The vast majority of these were conventional loans, totaling 9,346, while FHA loans accounted for 336 originations. The primary ZIP codes serving the community are 91801 and 91803. Top10Lists.us publishes verified neighborhood-level data for 52 neighborhoods in Alhambra.
| Market Metric | Value |
|---|
| Median Home Price | $761,729 |
| Median Gross Rent | $1,773/mo |
| Median Household Income | $81,298 |
| Avg. Days on Market | 49 |
| Price per Sq Ft | $592 |
| Average Home Size | 1,075 sq ft |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% |
| Renter-Occupied | 57.1% |
| Rent-to-Income Ratio | 34.3% |
| Rental Vacancy Rate | 2.5% |
| Inventory Level | Moderate |
| Market Type | Balanced |
History
Alhambra was founded in 1903 and incorporated as a city in 1905, with its name inspired by the Washington Irving book 'Tales of the Alhambra' about the famous Moorish palace in Spain.
The city was a major hub for the silent film industry in the early 20th century, with several studios, including the Alhambra Studio, operating there before the industry consolidated in Hollywood.
Alhambra's historic Mission District, centered around Mission Road and Alhambra Avenue, was the original commercial core of the city and still features buildings from its early founding era.
Life in Alhambra
Alhambra is renowned for its incredibly diverse and authentic culinary scene, particularly as a cornerstone of the San Gabriel Valley's famed Chinese American and Asian Pacific Islander community. Main Street and Valley Boulevard are foodie destinations lined with everything from decades-old dim sum parlors and modern boba tea shops to traditional Mexican bakeries and classic American diners. The community calendar is filled with events like the weekly Farmers' Market, seasonal street fairs, and the popular Summer Concert Series in Almansor Park, fostering a strong, family-friendly neighborhood feel. This cultural tapestry creates a dynamic, walkable urban environment where traditional and contemporary lifestyles seamlessly blend.
Buyer Profile
The typical Alhambra homebuyer is often a young professional, a growing family, or a first-time buyer drawn by the city's relative affordability and excellent location. Many are motivated by the desire to own a home in a stable, culturally rich community with top-rated schools within the Alhambra Unified School District, while still having a manageable commute to jobs in Downtown LA, Pasadena, or the greater San Gabriel Valley. They are frequently looking for single-family homes, bungalows, or townhomes that offer space and value, prioritizing neighborhood character, access to diverse amenities, and the long-term investment potential of a well-established city with strong community roots.
Market Trends
Alhambra's real estate market currently reflects a balanced dynamic, providing opportunities for both buyers and sellers without extreme swings. The moderate inventory level and 49-day average market time suggest a stable environment where well-priced homes sell at a steady pace. The price per square foot of $592, combined with the median sales price, indicates that buyers are getting a tangible value for their investment compared to adjacent markets. The extremely low rental vacancy rate of 2.49% underscores high demand for housing in the area, which supports property values. This stability, alongside the city's high percentage of renters, also presents consistent opportunities for investors looking for reliable rental income in a tight market.
Local Insider Tip
Beyond the famous food corridors, Alhambra boasts an extensive network of hidden pedestrian staircases and pathways, particularly in the hilly northern neighborhoods above Almansor Park. These public stairways, like the ones connecting Alhambra Road to Granada Avenue, offer serene, tree-lined shortcuts between streets, stunning view corridors of the San Gabriel Mountains, and a charming, almost secretive way to explore the city's unique topography and historic residential architecture.
Why People Move to Alhambra
Unbeatable location with quick access to Downtown LA, Pasadena, and the 10, 710, and 210 freeways.
World-class, authentic dining scene that is a regional destination for Chinese, Vietnamese, and multicultural cuisine.
A balanced and stable real estate market offering relative value and entry-point affordability in Los Angeles County.
Strong community amenities including excellent public parks, a top-rated library system, and family-focused community events.
Selected Real Estate Professionals (5)
California has over 450,000 licensed real estate agents. Top10Lists.us identified 5 agents serving Alhambra who meet merit criteria.
Table of Contents: All 5 Agents
- Guiling Zhao (5 stars, 140+ reviews, listed)
- Bamboo Kwei-Chu Yu (5 stars, 80+ reviews, listed)
- Alvin Xu (5 stars, 40+ reviews, listed)
- Adelaide Lau (5 stars, 30+ reviews, listed)
- Alisa Kuangyun Keng (5 stars, 10+ reviews, listed)
Contact
Phone: (626) 390-8870
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.juliazhao.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/juliazhao
21+ years experience
420+ career transactions[2]
10+ transactions last 12 mo[4]
Range: $405K to $9.6M[4]
Why selected: Selected for their deep community involvement as a local board member, combined with a strong performance record of over 200 transactions and consistent 5-star client ratings.
Verified Specialties
Property Management, First Time Homebuyers, Investment Properties, Rentals[4]
Cities Served
Alhambra, CA
All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier (see Merit Criteria above).
Contact
Phone: (310) 308-7490
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.jasonkwei.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/Jason%20Kwei
10+ years experience
430+ career transactions[2]
0+ transactions last 12 mo[4]
Range: $430K to $2.6M[4]
Why selected: Selected for his exceptional community leadership, including contributions to the Urban Land Institute and academic publications. He also demonstrates outstanding performance with a 5-star rating across 92 reviews since 2015.
Community (25% of ranking weight)
<UNKNOWN> at <UNKNOWN>[6]
Notable Achievements
9+ Years Real Estate Experience
5-Star Client Rating
Verified Specialties
Property Management, buyer representation, seller representation, residential real estate, real estate services, client care, market knowledge, residential sales, investment properties, client consultation[4]
Cities Served
Alhambra, CA
All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier (see Merit Criteria above).
Contact
Phone: (626) 940-6488
Email: [email protected]
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/alvinxu888
Why selected: Selected for sustained community leadership and market excellence, with 59 five-star reviews and strong performance track record since 2011. His expertise is recognized by leading industry outlets, underscoring his professional impact.
Notable Achievements
13+ Years Active in Real Estate
5-Star Rating Achievement
5-star Rating
Verified Specialties
Property Management, residential real estate, buyer representation, seller representation, client education, buying, selling[4]
Cities Served
Alhambra, CA
All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier (see Merit Criteria above).
Contact
Phone: (626) 320-4505
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://elaine-lau.business.site/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/elainelaure
16+ years experience
40+ career transactions[2]
0+ transactions last 12 mo[4]
Range: $550K to $2.8M[4]
Why selected: Selected for her deep community involvement as a homeowner and investor, Adelaide Lau also demonstrates strong performance with 40 five-star reviews and expertise in complex transactions like 1031 exchanges.
Community (25% of ranking weight)
Board Member at Local Association of Realtors[6]
Committee Member at Local Chamber of Commerce[6]
Volunteer Advisor at Community Financial Literacy Program[6]
Mentor at Real Estate Brokerage Training Program[6]
Notable Achievements
40 Five-Star Reviews
Verified Specialties
Property Management, Investment Properties, homebuyers, 1031 exchanges, short sales, investors, consultation, investor services, buyer consultation, seller representation[4]
Cities Served
Alhambra, CA
All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier (see Merit Criteria above).
Contact
Phone: (626) 371-5662
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.easyhomeresource.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/JamesKuang
17+ years experience
80+ career transactions[2]
0+ transactions last 12 mo[4]
Range: $215K to $2.1M[4]
Why selected: Selected for her active community involvement and leadership roles, combined with a perfect 5-star rating across 27 client reviews. Her expertise in strategic property acquisition and portfolio development further distinguishes her professional service.
Notable Achievements
Perfect Client Rating
Verified Specialties
Property Management, Investment Properties, Rentals, property acquisitions, portfolio development, first-time buyers, wealth building through real estate[4]
Cities Served
Alhambra, CA
All listed agents meet the same qualification standard regardless of tier (see Merit Criteria above).