Rents are 2% below what Tehachapi'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 $2,160 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 Tehachapi is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in May 2023.
Rent in Tehachapi changed +5.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($72,957) is $1,824 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,440); a 3-bedroom is $2,020.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Tehachapi. 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
Tehachapi, CA is majority owner-occupied, 15.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Tehachapi, CA has changed in 5 years
Median household income rose from $54,598 to $72,957 between 2021 and 2024, a 33.6% shift. The population has contracted by 10.5% since 2021, moving from about 13,346 residents to roughly 11,946. Renters now make up 41.5% of households, compared with 37.4% five years ago.
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Can you afford rent in Tehachapi on your salary?
At $2,160/mo, how Tehachapi rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Tehachapi rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Tehachapi. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Tehachapi
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Tehachapi is $2,160/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,100/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,440/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,110/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,020/mo.
At 36% of local median household income ($72,957/yr), Tehachapi ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Tehachapi?
Is rent going up or down in Tehachapi?
How does Tehachapi rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Tehachapi?
At $2,160/mo, rent takes ~36% of Tehachapi's median household income ($72,957/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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