Rents are 4% below what Porterville's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,475 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 Porterville is 1.1% below its high of $1,492 in July 2026, at $1,475 as of September 2026.
Rent in Porterville changed +3.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent has fallen 2 months in a row, and rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($60,461) is $1,512 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,390); a 3-bedroom is $1,910.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Porterville. 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
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Porterville, CA has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Porterville on your salary?
At $1,475/mo, how Porterville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Porterville rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Porterville. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Porterville
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Porterville is $1,475/mo as of October 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 29% of local median household income ($60,461/yr), Porterville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Porterville?
Is rent going up or down in Porterville?
How does Porterville rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Porterville?
At $1,475/mo, rent takes ~29% of Porterville's median household income ($60,461/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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