How much does it cost to rent in Fair Oaks, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Fair Oaks, CA is $2,038. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Fair Oaks cheaper than other California cities?

Fair Oaks is among the more affordable cities in California, ranking #337 out of 387 cities at $2,038/mo.

When was Fair Oaks rent data last updated?

Fair Oaks rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Fair Oaks

Name: Average Rent Prices in Fair Oaks, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 32,799·337th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Fair Oaks, CA

Median rent (all units)

$2,038/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.5%

Month-over-Month

-0.6%

vs US Median

+$73

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Fair Oaks · $2,038

More expensive than 61% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

65/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Fair Oaks's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,038/mo

Expected by trend

$2,205/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Fair Oaks's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,750

1 BR

$1,850

2 BR

$2,300

3 BR

$3,120

4 BR+

$3,600

Research median

$2,300/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$24,456/yr

At $2,038/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.5% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.5% YoY, -0.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Fair Oaks, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 48.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

32,799

Median income

$116,975

Median age

45.9

Renters

28.8%

Age distribution

18.7%

18.2%

22.1%

15.9%

25.1%

Under 1818.7%

18–3418.2%

35–5422.1%

55–6415.9%

65+25.1%

Gender

49%

51%

Male49%

Female51%

Race & ethnicity

74.3%

14.4%

White74.3%

Black1.7%

Hispanic14.4%

Asian4.9%

Other4.6%

Education (25+)

16%

31.6%

48.7%

No HS diploma3.8%

HS diploma16%

Some college31.6%

Bachelor's+48.7%

Housing tenure

71.2%

28.8%

Owner71.2%

Renter28.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Fair Oaks, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,636 → $2,038

up 24.6%

Income

$99,629 → $116,975

up 17.4%

Population

31,750 → 32,799

up 3.3%

Renter share

29% → 28.8%

-0.2 pts

Bachelor's+

45.3% → 48.7%

+3.4 pts

Five years ago, renters in Fair Oaks, CA paid around $1,636 a month. That figure now sits near $2,038, up 24.6% from the 2021 baseline. Median household income climbed from $99,629 to $116,975 between 2021 and 2024, a 17.4% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Fair Oaks, CA adding about 1,049 residents over the five-year window, up 3.3% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 45.3% to 48.7% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Fair Oaks, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Fair Oaks

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View Fair Oaks rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Fair Oaks on your salary?

At $2,038/mo, how Fair Oaks rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 21.9% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 30.9% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 26.8% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 15% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 11.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 33% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 36.5% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 29.7% income

affordable

By apartment size

Fair Oaks rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Fair Oaks. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fair Oaks

About renting in Fair Oaks, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Fair Oaks is $2,038/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,750/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,300/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,850/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,120/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($116,975/yr), Fair Oaks ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fair Oaks an affordable city for renters?

Fair Oaks is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,038/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($116,975/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fair Oaks falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Fair Oaks?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $82,000/year (~$39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,038/mo in Fair Oaks. The local median household income is $116,975/yr, meaning the typical Fair Oaks household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fair Oaks?

Rent in Fair Oaks has increased 3.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Fair Oaks rent compare to other cities in California?

Fair Oaks is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #337 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,038/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Fair Oaks?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Fair Oaks ($2,038/mo): Carmichael ($1,795/mo), Citrus Heights ($1,931/mo).

What percentage of Fair Oaks residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 28.8% of Fair Oaks households are renters, while 71.2% are owner-occupied. Fair Oaks leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Fair Oaks rent compare to the national average?

Fair Oaks's median rent of $2,038/mo is $73 (4%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #337 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

21%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,038/mo, rent takes ~21% of Fair Oaks's median household income ($116,975/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fair Oaks 21%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Fair Oaks affordability calculator →

Nearby cities