At $3,150/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within 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 $3,150 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: September 25, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($141,653) is $3,541 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($3,030); a 3-bedroom is $3,740.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Fairfax. 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
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Fairfax, CA has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Fairfax on your salary?
At $3,150/mo, how Fairfax rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Fairfax rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Fairfax. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Fairfax
Last updated: September 25, 2026
The median rent in Fairfax is $3,150/mo as of September 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 27% 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Fairfax?
Is rent going up or down in Fairfax?
How does Fairfax rent compare to other cities in California?
At $3,150/mo, rent takes ~27% of Fairfax's median household income ($141,653/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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