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

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Madera, CA is $2,344. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Madera cheaper than other California cities?

Madera is among the more affordable cities in California, ranking #295 out of 387 cities at $2,344/mo.

When was Madera rent data last updated?

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

Is Madera a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Madera is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (up only 5.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · CA

Madera

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

Pop. 67,831·295th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Madera, CA

Median rent (all units)

$2,344/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.0%

Month-over-Month

-3.6%

vs US Median

+$379

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Madera · $2,344

More expensive than 74% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

44% of income

STRETCHED

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,344/mo, rent takes about 44% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$94,000/yr

Local median income

$63,933/yr

Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Madera's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,260

1 BR

$1,265

2 BR

$1,640

3 BR

$2,300

4 BR+

$2,625

Research median

$1,640/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

$28,128/yr

At $2,344/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (up only 5.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.0% YoY, -3.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Madera, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 10.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

67,831

Median income

$63,933

Median age

30.4

Renters

45.3%

Age distribution

30.8%

26.2%

25.3%

Under 1830.8%

18–3426.2%

35–5425.3%

55–648.1%

65+9.6%

Gender

49.2%

50.8%

Male49.2%

Female50.8%

Race & ethnicity

23.2%

81.1%

White23.2%

Black3.1%

Hispanic81.1%

Asian1.4%

Education (25+)

37.3%

25%

26.8%

No HS diploma37.3%

HS diploma25%

Some college26.8%

Bachelor's+10.9%

Housing tenure

54.7%

45.3%

Owner54.7%

Renter45.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Madera, CA has changed in 5 years

Income

$53,777 → $63,933

up 18.9%

Population

66,173 → 67,831

up 2.5%

Renter share

49.6% → 45.3%

-4.3 pts

Bachelor's+

11.4% → 10.9%

-0.5 pts

Median age

29.2 → 30.4

+1.2 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $53,777 to $63,933 across the same window, up 18.9% versus 2021. Census counts show Madera, CA adding about 1,658 residents over the five-year window, up 2.5% on net. The renter share has eased from 49.6% to 45.3%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

Discussions about Madera

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View Madera rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Madera on your salary?

At $2,344/mo, how Madera rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 25.2% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 35.5% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 30.8% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 17.3% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 13.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 38% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 42% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 34.1% income

stretched

By apartment size

Madera rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Madera

About renting in Madera, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Madera is $2,344/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,260/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,640/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,265/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,300/mo.

At 44% of local median household income ($63,933/yr), Madera ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Madera an affordable city for renters?

Madera is considered stretched for renters. At $2,344/mo, rent takes approximately 44% of the local median household income ($63,933/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Madera significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Madera?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $94,000/year (~$45/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,344/mo in Madera. The local median household income is $63,933/yr, meaning the typical Madera household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Madera?

Rent in Madera has increased 5.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Madera neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Madera are 93637 ($2,115/mo), and 93636 ($2,555/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Madera is $2,344/mo.

How does Madera rent compare to other cities in California?

Madera is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #295 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,344/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Madera?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Madera ($2,344/mo): Reedley ($1,680/mo), Lemoore ($1,858/mo), Fresno ($1,954/mo).

What percentage of Madera residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45.3% of Madera households are renters, while 54.7% are owner-occupied. Madera leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Madera rent compare to the national average?

Madera's median rent of $2,344/mo is $379 (19%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #295 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

44%

STRETCHED

At $2,344/mo, rent takes ~44% of Madera's median household income ($63,933/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Madera 44%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Madera affordability calculator →

Nearby cities