Rents are 4% below what Fresno's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,967 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: August 17, 2026
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Fresno, CA has changed in 5 years
Across the past five years, the going rent in Fresno, CA has shifted from $1,445 to $1,967, up 36.1% 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.
Discussions about Fresno
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Fresno on your salary?
At $1,967/mo, how Fresno rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Fresno rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Fresno. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Fresno
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Fresno is $1,967/mo as of August 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 18.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fresno an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Fresno?
Is rent going up or down in Fresno?
Which Fresno neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Fresno rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Fresno?
What percentage of Fresno residents rent vs. own?
How does Fresno rent compare to the national average?
At $1,967/mo, rent takes ~33% of Fresno's median household income ($70,991/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Fresno.
No discussions yet.
