1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Fresno, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Fresno, California as of July 2026. That's +35% lower than the citywide median of $1,954 and +9% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Fresno
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 Fresno
Compare Fresno'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? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Fresno.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Fresno |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clovis, CA | 9.3 mi | $1,650 | +$376 (+30%) |
| Madera, CA | 20.5 mi | $1,265 | $-9 (-1%) |
| Lemoore, CA | 34.5 mi | $1,390 | +$116 (+9%) |
| Hanford, CA | 36 mi | $1,120 | $-154 (-12%) |
| Visalia, CA | 43.6 mi | $1,190 | $-84 (-7%) |
| Tulare, CA | 50.8 mi | $1,140 | $-134 (-11%) |
| Merced, CA | 60.4 mi | $1,247 | $-27 (-2%) |
| Exeter, CA | 62.2 mi | $1,150 | $-124 (-10%) |
| Atwater, CA | 70.6 mi | $1,230 | $-44 (-3%) |
| Los Banos, CA | 75.9 mi | $1,430 | +$156 (+12%) |
| Porterville, CA | 84.2 mi | $1,060 | $-214 (-17%) |
| Turlock, CA | 89.5 mi | $1,215 | $-59 (-5%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Fresno — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Fresno?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Fresno, California is $1,274 per month. This is +35% below the citywide median of $1,954.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Fresno?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $50,960 ($4,247/month gross), which works out to roughly $24.50/hour at a full-time job.
Is Fresno expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Fresno's 1-bedroom median of $1,274 is +9% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 42th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Fresno rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Fresno ranks #38 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Fresno?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Madera ($1,265), Hanford ($1,120), Visalia ($1,190).