RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · CA

Porterville

Pop. 63,157·383rd most expensive in California·Porterville rents are up 13.7% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,377/mo
Year-over-Year
+13.7%
Month-over-Month
+3.1%
vs US Median
-$588
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Porterville rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Porterville · $1,377
More affordable than 83% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
41/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% above what Porterville's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,377/mo
Expected by trend
$1,319/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Porterville's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,050
1 BR
$1,060
2 BR
$1,390
3 BR
$1,910
4 BR+
$2,210
Research median
$1,390/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
$16,524/yr
At $1,377/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 13.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+13.7% YoY, +3.1% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Porterville, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 14.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
63,157
Median income
$60,461
Median age
30.9
Renters
45.7%
Age distribution
30.5%
24.7%
23.1%
12.2%
Under 1830.5%
18–3424.7%
35–5423.1%
55–649.4%
65+12.2%
Gender
49.6%
50.4%
Male49.6%
Female50.4%
Race & ethnicity
33%
73.6%
White33%
Black1.6%
Hispanic73.6%
Asian3.1%
Education (25+)
30.2%
28.3%
27%
14.5%
No HS diploma30.2%
HS diploma28.3%
Some college27%
Bachelor's+14.5%
Housing tenure
54.3%
45.7%
Owner54.3%
Renter45.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Porterville, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$48,955 → $60,461
up 23.5%
Population
62,164 → 63,157
up 1.6%
Renter share
46.9% → 45.7%
-1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
13.2% → 14.5%
+1.3 pts
Median age
31.8 → 30.9
-0.9 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $48,955 to $60,461 across the same window, up 23.5% versus 2021. Census counts show Porterville, CA adding about 993 residents over the five-year window, up 1.6% on net.

Community

Discussions about Porterville

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Porterville on your salary?

At $1,377/mo, how Porterville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Porterville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Porterville

About renting in Porterville, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Porterville is $1,377/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,050/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,390/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,060/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,910/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($60,461/yr), Porterville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 13.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Porterville an affordable city for renters?

Porterville is considered affordable for renters. At $1,377/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($60,461/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Porterville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Porterville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,377/mo in Porterville. The local median household income is $60,461/yr, meaning the typical Porterville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Porterville?

Rent in Porterville has increased 13.7% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Porterville rent compare to other cities in California?

Porterville is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #383 out of 387 tracked cities at $1,377/mo.

What percentage of Porterville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45.7% of Porterville households are renters, while 54.3% are owner-occupied. Porterville leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Porterville rent compare to the national average?

Porterville's median rent of $1,377/mo is $588 (30%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #383 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,377/mo, rent takes ~27% of Porterville's median household income ($60,461/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Porterville 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Porterville affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Porterville
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Porterville, CA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Porterville.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.