1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Fairfax, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Fairfax, California as of July 2026. That's +29% lower than the citywide median of $3,588 and +82% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Fairfax
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Fairfax
Compare Fairfax's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Fairfax.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Fairfax |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Anselmo, CA | 4.5 mi | $2,710 | +$170 (+7%) |
| Mill Valley, CA | 4.9 mi | $3,090 | +$550 (+22%) |
| Larkspur, CA | 5.8 mi | $3,120 | +$580 (+23%) |
| San Rafael, CA | 7.3 mi | $2,855 | +$315 (+12%) |
| Corte Madera, CA | 7.5 mi | $3,390 | +$850 (+33%) |
| Sausalito, CA | 7.9 mi | $2,990 | +$450 (+18%) |
| Tiburon, CA | 11 mi | $3,530 | +$990 (+39%) |
| Novato, CA | 11.7 mi | $2,567 | +$27 (+1%) |
| San Francisco, CA | 17.9 mi | $2,842 | +$302 (+12%) |
| San Pablo, CA | 18.7 mi | $1,481 | $-1,059 (-42%) |
| Richmond, CA | 19.4 mi | $1,950 | $-590 (-23%) |
| Petaluma, CA | 20.3 mi | $2,555 | +$15 (+1%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Fairfax — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Fairfax?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Fairfax, California is $2,540 per month. This is +29% below the citywide median of $3,588.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Fairfax?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $101,600 ($8,467/month gross), which works out to roughly $48.85/hour at a full-time job.
Is Fairfax expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Fairfax's 1-bedroom median of $2,540 is +82% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Fairfax rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Fairfax ranks #279 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Fairfax?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include San Pablo ($1,481), Richmond ($1,950).