How much does it cost to rent in Fresno, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Fresno, CA is $1,954. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Fresno cheaper than other California cities?

Fresno is among the more affordable cities in California, ranking #348 out of 387 cities at $1,954/mo.

When was Fresno rent data last updated?

Fresno rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Evan Wise / Unsplash

City Report · CA

Fresno

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

Pop. 545,970·348th most expensive in California·Fresno rents are up 17.9% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,954/mo

Year-over-Year

+17.9%

Month-over-Month

+1.2%

vs US Median

-$11

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Fresno · $1,954

More expensive than 56% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

60/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Fresno's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,954/mo

Expected by trend

$2,054/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,267

1 BR

$1,274

2 BR

$1,576

3 BR

$2,209

4 BR+

$2,531

Research median

$1,576/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$23,448/yr

At $1,954/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 17.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+17.9% YoY, +1.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Fresno, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, 25.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

545,970

Median income

$70,991

Median age

32.8

Renters

49.9%

Age distribution

27.4%

26.3%

24.2%

12.4%

Under 1827.4%

18–3426.3%

35–5424.2%

55–649.7%

65+12.4%

Gender

50.2%

49.8%

Male50.2%

Female49.8%

Race & ethnicity

31.6%

50.9%

14.5%

White31.6%

Black6.8%

Hispanic50.9%

Asian14.5%

Education (25+)

19.6%

23.1%

31.9%

25.5%

No HS diploma19.6%

HS diploma23.1%

Some college31.9%

Bachelor's+25.5%

Housing tenure

50.1%

49.9%

Owner50.1%

Renter49.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Fresno, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,445 → $1,954

up 35.2%

Income

$57,211 → $70,991

up 24.1%

Population

538,678 → 545,970

up 1.4%

Renter share

52.4% → 49.9%

-2.5 pts

Bachelor's+

23.6% → 25.5%

+1.9 pts

Median age

31.7 → 32.8

+1.1 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Fresno, CA has shifted from $1,445 to $1,954, up 35.2% since 2021. On the earnings side, the typical household in Fresno, CA now reports about $70,991, up from $57,211 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Fresno, CA adding about 7,292 residents over the five-year window, up 1.4% on net. The renter share has eased from 52.4% to 49.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Fresno, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Fresno

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View Fresno rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Fresno on your salary?

At $1,954/mo, how Fresno rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 21% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 29.6% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 25.7% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 14.4% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 11.3% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 31.6% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 35% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 28.4% income

affordable

By apartment size

Fresno rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fresno

About renting in Fresno, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Fresno is $1,954/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,267/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,576/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,274/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,209/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($70,991/yr), Fresno ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 17.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fresno an affordable city for renters?

Fresno is considered moderate for renters. At $1,954/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($70,991/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fresno slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Fresno?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $78,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,954/mo in Fresno. The local median household income is $70,991/yr, meaning the typical Fresno household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fresno?

Rent in Fresno has increased 17.9% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Fresno neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Fresno are 93728 ($1,288/mo), 93701 ($1,349/mo), and 93725 ($1,350/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Fresno is $1,954/mo.

How does Fresno rent compare to other cities in California?

Fresno is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #348 out of 387 tracked cities at $1,954/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Fresno?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Fresno ($1,954/mo): Reedley ($1,680/mo), Kingsburg ($1,848/mo), Lemoore ($1,858/mo).

What percentage of Fresno residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 49.9% of Fresno households are renters, while 50.1% are owner-occupied. Fresno leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Fresno rent compare to the national average?

Fresno's median rent of $1,954/mo is $11 (1%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #348 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

33%

MODERATE

At $1,954/mo, rent takes ~33% of Fresno's median household income ($70,991/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fresno 33%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Fresno affordability calculator →

Nearby cities