Housing
Home prices and rent in South Lake Tahoe
Median home values, rents and incomes from the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with California and the U.S.
Census geography: South Lake Tahoe city, California. These survey estimates are not current listing prices.
South Lake Tahoe vs. California and the U.S.
| South Lake Tahoe | California | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $682,400 | $734,700 | $332,700 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $1,606 | $2,036 | $1,413 |
| Median household income | $82,002 | $99,122 | $80,734 |
| Homes owned by occupants | 51% | 56% | 65% |
| Median year built | 1973 | 1976 | 1980 |
Ten years of change
| 2014 | 2019 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $322,400 | $403,600 | $682,400 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $875 | $1,020 | $1,606 |
| Median household income | $41,380 | $49,390 | $82,002 |
Fair Market Rents (HUD, fiscal year 2027)
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA HUD Metro FMR Area · El Dorado County. HUD's payment benchmarks for housing programs: typical gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a recent mover, not a listing or an asking rent.
Large figures are the metro-area Fair Market Rent; green figures are the range across 2 South Lake Tahoe ZIP codes, where HUD sets Small Area Fair Market Rents.
Income limits (HUD, fiscal year 2026)
Area median family income: $124,000. Households at or under these incomes can qualify for many housing programs; check each program's own rules.
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low income (80%) | $73,600 | $84,100 | $94,600 | $105,100 | $113,550 | $121,950 | $130,350 | $138,750 |
| Very low income (50%) | $46,000 | $52,600 | $59,150 | $65,700 | $71,000 | $76,250 | $81,500 | $86,750 |
| Extremely low income (30%) | $27,600 | $31,550 | $35,500 | $39,400 | $42,600 | $45,750 | $50,040 | $55,720 |
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents and Income Limits, checked October 9, 2026.
Questions
What is the median home value in South Lake Tahoe?
$682,400, according to the Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey (5-year estimates), compared with $734,700 in California and $332,700 nationally.
How much is rent in South Lake Tahoe?
Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,606 a month, versus $2,036 statewide.
How much have home values risen in South Lake Tahoe?
The median home value went from $322,400 in 2014 to $682,400 in 2024 (+112%).
What is fair market rent in South Lake Tahoe?
HUD's fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rent for the Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA HUD Metro FMR Area is $1,742 for a studio, $1,793 for one bedroom and $2,201 for two bedrooms; across South Lake Tahoe's ZIP codes, two-bedroom values run $1,930 to $2,340. These are HUD program benchmarks, not asking rents.
Are these current market prices?
No. They are survey medians from the Census Bureau, based on a five-year survey period, so they lag today’s listings. They are the most consistent way to compare places and track change over time.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2014, 2019, 2024), South Lake Tahoe city, California. Values are estimates with margins of error.