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City Report · CA

Fullerton

Pop. 140,968·157th most expensive in California·Fullerton rents are up 7.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,945/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.3%
Month-over-Month
+2.5%
vs US Median
+$983
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Fullerton · $2,945
More expensive than 89% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
48/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Fullerton's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,945/mo
Expected by trend
$2,919/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Fullerton's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,125
1 BR
$2,228
2 BR
$2,640
3 BR
$3,573
4 BR+
$4,260
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,640/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,945 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$35,340/yr
At $2,945/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.3% YoY, +2.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Fullerton, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 43.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
140,968
Median income
$104,286
Median age
36.9
Renters
48.2%
Age distribution
22.1%
25.2%
25.5%
15.2%
Under 1822.1%
18–3425.2%
35–5425.5%
55–6412%
65+15.2%
Gender
49.6%
50.4%
Male49.6%
Female50.4%
Race & ethnicity
37.2%
40.3%
24.9%
White37.2%
Black2%
Hispanic40.3%
Asian24.9%
Education (25+)
12.5%
15.4%
28.7%
43.5%
No HS diploma12.5%
HS diploma15.4%
Some college28.7%
Bachelor's+43.5%
Housing tenure
51.8%
48.2%
Owner51.8%
Renter48.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Fullerton, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,099 → $2,945
up 40.3%
Income
$92,718 → $104,286
up 12.5%
Population
142,964 → 140,968
down 1.4%
Renter share
47% → 48.2%
+1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
43.5% → 43.5%
+0.0 pts
Median age
35.4 → 36.9
+1.5 yrs

The median rent in Fullerton, CA stood at $2,099 in 2021 and currently runs about $2,945, reflecting a 40.3% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $92,718 to $104,286 between 2021 and 2024, a 12.5% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.4% since 2021, moving from about 142,964 residents to roughly 140,968. Taken together, the five-year picture in Fullerton, 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

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View Fullerton rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Fullerton on your salary?

At $2,945/mo, how Fullerton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Fullerton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fullerton

About renting in Fullerton, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Fullerton is $2,945/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,125/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,640/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,228/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,573/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($104,286/yr), Fullerton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fullerton an affordable city for renters?

Fullerton is considered moderate for renters. At $2,945/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($104,286/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fullerton slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Fullerton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $118,000/year (~$57/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,945/mo in Fullerton. The local median household income is $104,286/yr, meaning the typical Fullerton household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fullerton?

Rent in Fullerton has increased 7.3% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Fullerton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Fullerton are 92831 ($2,712/mo), 92832 ($2,857/mo), and 92833 ($3,397/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Fullerton is $2,945/mo.

How does Fullerton rent compare to other cities in California?

Fullerton is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #157 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,945/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Fullerton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Fullerton ($2,945/mo): Buena Park ($2,641/mo), Anaheim ($2,745/mo), Placentia ($2,823/mo).

What percentage of Fullerton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 48.2% of Fullerton households are renters, while 51.8% are owner-occupied. Fullerton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Fullerton rent compare to the national average?

Fullerton's median rent of $2,945/mo is $983 (50%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #157 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $2,945/mo, rent takes ~34% of Fullerton's median household income ($104,286/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fullerton 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Fullerton affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Fullerton, CA

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