At $1,853/mo, rent takes about 34% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,853 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($64,472) is $1,612 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,510); a 3-bedroom is $2,080.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Atwater. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Atwater, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 12.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Atwater, CA has changed in 5 years
Median household income grew from $59,436 to $64,472 between 2021 and 2024, a 8.5% shift. Headcount in the area went from 31,401 to 32,162 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.4% change.
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Can you afford rent in Atwater on your salary?
At $1,853/mo, how Atwater rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Atwater rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Atwater. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Atwater
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Atwater is $1,853/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,070/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,510/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,230/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,080/mo.
At 34% of local median household income ($64,472/yr), Atwater ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does Atwater rent compare to other cities in California?
At $1,853/mo, rent takes ~34% of Atwater's median household income ($64,472/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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