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City Report · CA

Taft

Pop. 7,125·379th most expensive in California·Taft rents are up 5.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,249/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.9%
Month-over-Month
+0.5%
vs US Median
-$713
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Taft · $1,249
More affordable than 91% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
21% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,249/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$50,000/yr
Local median income
$72,772/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Taft's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$870
1 BR
$880
2 BR
$1,140
3 BR
$1,600
4 BR+
$1,930
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,140/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,249 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$14,988/yr
At $1,249/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.9% YoY, +0.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Taft, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, 9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,125
Median income
$72,772
Median age
37.1
Renters
45%
Age distribution
19.1%
28.2%
23%
15.3%
14.4%
Under 1819.1%
18–3428.2%
35–5423%
55–6415.3%
65+14.4%
Gender
51.1%
48.9%
Male51.1%
Female48.9%
Race & ethnicity
72.7%
31.5%
White72.7%
Black1.2%
Hispanic31.5%
Education (25+)
17.8%
31%
42.2%
No HS diploma17.8%
HS diploma31%
Some college42.2%
Bachelor's+9%
Housing tenure
55%
45%
Owner55%
Renter45%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Taft, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$52,917 → $72,772
up 37.5%
Population
8,730 → 7,125
down 18.4%
Renter share
47.8% → 45%
-2.8 pts
Bachelor's+
9.3% → 9%
-0.3 pts
Median age
33 → 37.1
+4.1 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Taft

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

Can you afford rent in Taft on your salary?

At $1,249/mo, how Taft rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Taft rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Taft

About renting in Taft, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Taft is $1,249/mo as of August 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 5.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Taft an affordable city for renters?

Taft is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,249/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($72,772/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Taft falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Taft?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,249/mo in Taft. The local median household income is $72,772/yr, meaning the typical Taft household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Taft?

Rent in Taft has increased 5.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Taft rent compare to other cities in California?

Taft is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #379 out of 381 tracked cities at $1,249/mo.

What percentage of Taft residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45% of Taft households are renters, while 55% are owner-occupied. Taft leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Taft rent compare to the national average?

Taft's median rent of $1,249/mo is $713 (36%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #379 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,249/mo, rent takes ~21% of Taft's median household income ($72,772/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Taft 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Taft affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Taft, CA

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