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City Report · CA

Fairfax

Pop. 7,516·103rd most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,325/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-7.3%
vs US Median
+$1,363
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Fairfax · $3,325
More expensive than 94% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,325/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$133,000/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$3,030/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,325 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$39,900/yr
At $3,325/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -7.3% 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

Discussions about Fairfax

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

Can you afford rent in Fairfax on your salary?

At $3,325/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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Fairfax is $3,325/mo as of August 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 28% of local median household income ($141,653/yr), Fairfax ranks as affordable 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 affordable for renters. At $3,325/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($141,653/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fairfax falls comfortably within that range.

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 $133,000/year (~$64/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,325/mo in Fairfax. The local median household income is $141,653/yr, meaning the typical Fairfax household meets 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 August 2026.

How does Fairfax rent compare to other cities in California?

Fairfax is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #103 out of 381 tracked cities at $3,325/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Fairfax?

San Rafael is nearby and more affordable at $3,100/mo, which is $225 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 $3,325/mo is $1,363 (69%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #103 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $3,325/mo, rent takes ~28% of Fairfax's median household income ($141,653/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fairfax 28%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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