At $1,288/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within 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 $1,288 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 Taft changed +7.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent has fallen 3 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($72,772) is $1,819 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,600); a 4-bedroom is $1,930.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Taft. 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
Taft, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, 9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Taft, CA has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $52,917 in 2021 to $72,772 more recently. The population has contracted by 18.4% since 2021, moving from about 8,730 residents to roughly 7,125. Renters now make up 45% of households, compared with 47.8% five years ago.
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Can you afford rent in Taft on your salary?
At $1,288/mo, how Taft rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Taft rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Taft. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Taft
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Taft is $1,288/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $870/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,140/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,600/mo.
At 21% of local median household income ($72,772/yr), Taft ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Taft?
Is rent going up or down in Taft?
How does Taft rent compare to other cities in California?
At $1,288/mo, rent takes ~21% of Taft's median household income ($72,772/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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