RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · CA

Shafter

Pop. 21,193·234th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,640/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+37.1%
vs US Median
+$675
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Shafter rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Shafter · $2,640
More expensive than 83% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
44% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,640/mo, rent takes about 44% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$106,000/yr
Local median income
$71,215/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Shafter's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,060
1 BR
$1,060
2 BR
$1,380
3 BR
$1,930
4 BR+
$2,320
Research median
$1,380/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
$31,680/yr
At $2,640/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +37.1% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Shafter, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 12.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
21,193
Median income
$71,215
Median age
28.1
Renters
35.3%
Age distribution
33.5%
29.1%
23.6%
Under 1833.5%
18–3429.1%
35–5423.6%
55–646.3%
65+7.5%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
30.6%
80.6%
White30.6%
Black1.4%
Hispanic80.6%
Asian2.6%
Education (25+)
26.6%
27.9%
33.2%
12.2%
No HS diploma26.6%
HS diploma27.9%
Some college33.2%
Bachelor's+12.2%
Housing tenure
64.7%
35.3%
Owner64.7%
Renter35.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Shafter, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$56,696 → $71,215
up 25.6%
Population
19,897 → 21,193
up 6.5%
Renter share
38.4% → 35.3%
-3.1 pts
Bachelor's+
11.7% → 12.2%
+0.5 pts
Median age
27.5 → 28.1
+0.6 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $71,215 today, compared with $56,696 five years earlier. Census counts show Shafter, CA adding about 1,296 residents over the five-year window, up 6.5% on net. The renter share has eased from 38.4% to 35.3%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

Discussions about Shafter

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Shafter on your salary?

At $2,640/mo, how Shafter rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Shafter rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Shafter

About renting in Shafter, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Shafter is $2,640/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,060/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,380/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,060/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,930/mo.

At 44% of local median household income ($71,215/yr), Shafter ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Shafter an affordable city for renters?

Shafter is considered stretched for renters. At $2,640/mo, rent takes approximately 44% of the local median household income ($71,215/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Shafter significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Shafter?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $106,000/year (~$51/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,640/mo in Shafter. The local median household income is $71,215/yr, meaning the typical Shafter household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Shafter?

Rent in Shafter has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Shafter rent compare to other cities in California?

Shafter is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #234 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,640/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Shafter?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Shafter ($2,640/mo): Taft ($1,243/mo), Porterville ($1,377/mo), Oildale ($1,441/mo).

What percentage of Shafter residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.3% of Shafter households are renters, while 64.7% are owner-occupied. Shafter leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Shafter rent compare to the national average?

Shafter's median rent of $2,640/mo is $675 (34%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #234 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
44%
STRETCHED

At $2,640/mo, rent takes ~44% of Shafter's median household income ($71,215/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Shafter 44%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Shafter affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Shafter
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 Shafter, CA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Shafter.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.