At $2,315/mo, rent takes about 35% 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 $2,315 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
Rent in Compton changed +4.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($78,465) is $1,962 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,810); a 2-bedroom is $2,290.
Lynwood, 3 miles away, rents for 12% less ($2,045/mo), about $3,200 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Compton. 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
Compton, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 10.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Compton, CA has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $62,297 to $78,465 across the same window, up 26.0% versus 2021. Census counts show Compton, CA losing about 3,385 residents over the five-year window, down 3.5% on net.
Discussions about Compton
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Can you afford rent in Compton on your salary?
At $2,315/mo, how Compton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Compton rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Compton. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Compton
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Compton is $2,315/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,600/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,290/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,810/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,940/mo.
At 35% of local median household income ($78,465/yr), Compton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Compton?
Is rent going up or down in Compton?
How does Compton rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Compton?
At $2,315/mo, rent takes ~35% of Compton's median household income ($78,465/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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