At $2,162/mo, rent takes about 41% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
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 $2,162 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: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Madera changed +2.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($63,933) is $1,598 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,265); a 2-bedroom is $1,640.
Fresno, 18 miles away, rents for 10% less ($1,945/mo), about $2,600 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Madera. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Madera, CA has changed in 5 years
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.
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At $2,162/mo, how Madera rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Madera rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Madera. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Madera
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Madera is $2,162/mo as of October 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 41% of local median household income ($63,933/yr), Madera ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Madera?
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How does Madera rent compare to other cities in California?
At $2,162/mo, rent takes ~41% of Madera's median household income ($63,933/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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