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City Report · CA

Fairfax

Pop. 7,516·74th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,588/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+22.7%
vs US Median
+$1,623
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Fairfax · $3,588
More expensive than 96% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
30% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,588/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$144,000/yr
Local median income
$141,653/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Fairfax's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,070
1 BR
$2,540
2 BR
$3,030
3 BR
$3,740
4 BR+
$4,030
Research median
$3,030/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$43,056/yr
At $3,588/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +22.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Fairfax, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 70.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,516
Median income
$141,653
Median age
48.7
Renters
31.1%
Age distribution
17%
15.5%
31.1%
13.3%
23.1%
Under 1817%
18–3415.5%
35–5431.1%
55–6413.3%
65+23.1%
Gender
50.1%
49.9%
Male50.1%
Female49.9%
Race & ethnicity
82.3%
White82.3%
Black2%
Hispanic6.8%
Asian3.2%
Other5.7%
Education (25+)
21.1%
70.1%
No HS diploma1.7%
HS diploma7.1%
Some college21.1%
Bachelor's+70.1%
Housing tenure
68.9%
31.1%
Owner68.9%
Renter31.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Fairfax, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$111,290 → $141,653
up 27.3%
Population
7,605 → 7,516
down 1.2%
Renter share
34.8% → 31.1%
-3.7 pts
Bachelor's+
65.8% → 70.1%
+4.3 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $111,290 in 2021 to $141,653 more recently. The population has contracted by 1.2% since 2021, moving from about 7,605 residents to roughly 7,516. Renters now make up 31.1% of households, compared with 34.8% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 70.1% of adults here, versus 65.8% in 2021.

Community

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View Fairfax rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Fairfax on your salary?

At $3,588/mo, how Fairfax rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Fairfax rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fairfax

About renting in Fairfax, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Fairfax is $3,588/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,070/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,030/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,540/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,740/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($141,653/yr), Fairfax ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fairfax an affordable city for renters?

Fairfax is considered moderate for renters. At $3,588/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($141,653/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fairfax slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Fairfax?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $144,000/year (~$69/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,588/mo in Fairfax. The local median household income is $141,653/yr, meaning the typical Fairfax household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fairfax?

Rent in Fairfax has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Fairfax rent compare to other cities in California?

Fairfax is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #74 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,588/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Fairfax?

San Rafael is nearby and more affordable at $2,992/mo, which is $596 less than Fairfax.

What percentage of Fairfax residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.1% of Fairfax households are renters, while 68.9% are owner-occupied. Fairfax leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Fairfax rent compare to the national average?

Fairfax's median rent of $3,588/mo is $1,623 (83%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #74 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $3,588/mo, rent takes ~30% of Fairfax's median household income ($141,653/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fairfax 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Fairfax affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Fairfax, CA

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