How much does it cost to rent in Fountain Valley, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Fountain Valley, CA is $2,698. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Fountain Valley cheaper than other California cities?

Fountain Valley falls in the middle range for California, ranking #218 out of 387 cities at $2,698/mo.

When was Fountain Valley rent data last updated?

Fountain Valley 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

Fountain Valley

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

Pop. 56,258·218th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$2,698/mo

Year-over-Year

-2.8%

Month-over-Month

-0.3%

vs US Median

+$733

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Fountain Valley · $2,698

More expensive than 85% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

73/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 11% below what Fountain Valley's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,698/mo

Expected by trend

$3,045/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,520

1 BR

$2,630

2 BR

$3,110

3 BR

$4,210

4 BR+

$5,030

Research median

$3,110/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

$32,376/yr

At $2,698/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 2.8% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-2.8% YoY, -0.3% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Fountain Valley, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 46.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

56,258

Median income

$115,237

Median age

44.4

Renters

35.2%

Age distribution

19%

20.9%

24.8%

14.7%

20.7%

Under 1819%

18–3420.9%

35–5424.8%

55–6414.7%

65+20.7%

Gender

50.1%

49.9%

Male50.1%

Female49.9%

Race & ethnicity

40.9%

17.2%

36.9%

White40.9%

Black1.6%

Hispanic17.2%

Asian36.9%

Other3.3%

Education (25+)

17.1%

27.7%

46.4%

No HS diploma8.8%

HS diploma17.1%

Some college27.7%

Bachelor's+46.4%

Housing tenure

64.8%

35.2%

Owner64.8%

Renter35.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Fountain Valley, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,140 → $2,698

up 26.1%

Income

$92,765 → $115,237

up 24.2%

Population

57,139 → 56,258

down 1.5%

Renter share

32.4% → 35.2%

+2.8 pts

Bachelor's+

42.6% → 46.4%

+3.8 pts

Median age

43.9 → 44.4

+0.5 yrs

Rent in Fountain Valley, CA has increased 26.1% since 2021, going from about $2,140 per month to roughly $2,698 today. Median household income grew from $92,765 to $115,237 between 2021 and 2024, a 24.2% shift. Headcount in the area went from 57,139 to 56,258 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.5% change. About 35.2% of households rent today, against 32.4% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 42.6% to 46.4%. Taken together, the five-year picture in Fountain Valley, 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 Fountain Valley

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View Fountain Valley rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Fountain Valley on your salary?

At $2,698/mo, how Fountain Valley rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 29% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 40.9% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 35.5% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 19.9% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 15.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 43.7% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 48.4% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 39.3% income

stretched

By apartment size

Fountain Valley rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fountain Valley

About renting in Fountain Valley, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Fountain Valley is $2,698/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,520/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,110/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,630/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,210/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($115,237/yr), Fountain Valley ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fountain Valley an affordable city for renters?

Fountain Valley is considered affordable for renters. At $2,698/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($115,237/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fountain Valley falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Fountain Valley?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $108,000/year (~$52/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,698/mo in Fountain Valley. The local median household income is $115,237/yr, meaning the typical Fountain Valley household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fountain Valley?

Rent in Fountain Valley has decreased 2.8% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Fountain Valley rent compare to other cities in California?

Fountain Valley is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #218 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,698/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Fountain Valley?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Fountain Valley ($2,698/mo): Westminster ($2,629/mo), Garden Grove ($2,679/mo).

What percentage of Fountain Valley residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.2% of Fountain Valley households are renters, while 64.8% are owner-occupied. Fountain Valley leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Fountain Valley rent compare to the national average?

Fountain Valley's median rent of $2,698/mo is $733 (37%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #218 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

28%

AFFORDABLE

At $2,698/mo, rent takes ~28% of Fountain Valley's median household income ($115,237/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fountain Valley 28%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Fountain Valley affordability calculator →

Nearby cities