At $2,806/mo, rent takes about 45% 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 $2,806 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 Paramount is 1% below its high of $2,835 in June 2026, at $2,806 as of September 2026.
Rent in Paramount changed +2.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($75,250) is $1,881 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,820); a 2-bedroom is $2,300.
Bellflower, 2 miles away, rents for 21% less ($2,221/mo), about $7,000 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Paramount. 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
Paramount, CA is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 14.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Paramount, CA has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $60,456 in 2021 to $75,250 more recently. Census counts show Paramount, CA losing about 1,854 residents over the five-year window, down 3.4% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 11.6% to 14.9% across the same window.
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At $2,806/mo, how Paramount rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Paramount rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Paramount. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Paramount
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Paramount is $2,806/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,630/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,300/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,820/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,940/mo.
At 45% of local median household income ($75,250/yr), Paramount ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Paramount?
How does Paramount rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Paramount?
At $2,806/mo, rent takes ~45% of Paramount's median household income ($75,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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