City Report · CA

Truckee

Pop. 17,066·45th most expensive in California·Truckee rents are up 7.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$4,044/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.0%
Month-over-Month
+0.5%
vs US Median
+$2,112
Reported rents
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Truckee · $4,044
More expensive than 98% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo
Affordability
37% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $4,044/mo, rent takes about 37% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$162,000/yr
Local median income
$130,462/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Truckee's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,810
1 BR
$1,950
2 BR
$2,430
3 BR
$3,370
4 BR+
$3,990
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,430/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $4,044 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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of California

Rent in Truckee changed +7.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($130,462) is $3,262 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,430); a 3-bedroom is $3,370.

Cheaper nearby

Verdi, NV, 18 miles away, rents for 49% less ($2,064/mo), about $23,800 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Truckee. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost
$48,528/yr
At $4,044/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.0% YoY, +0.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Truckee, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 60.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
17,066
Median income
$130,462
Median age
42
Renters
26.6%
Age distribution
22.3%
16.1%
32.4%
14.7%
14.5%
Under 1822.3%
18–3416.1%
35–5432.4%
55–6414.7%
65+14.5%
Gender
50.2%
49.8%
Male50.2%
Female49.8%
Race & ethnicity
82.5%
14.8%
White82.5%
Black0.7%
Hispanic14.8%
Asian2.1%
Education (25+)
24.4%
60.8%
No HS diploma5.8%
HS diploma9.1%
Some college24.4%
Bachelor's+60.8%
Housing tenure
73.4%
26.6%
Owner73.4%
Renter26.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Truckee, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$103,772 → $130,462
up 25.7%
Population
16,850 → 17,066
up 1.3%
Renter share
21.8% → 26.6%
+4.8 pts
Bachelor's+
58.5% → 60.8%
+2.3 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $103,772 in 2021 to $130,462 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 16,850 to 17,066 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.3% change. About 26.6% of households rent today, against 21.8% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 58.5% to 60.8%.

Community

Discussions about Truckee

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

Can you afford rent in Truckee on your salary?

At $4,044/mo, how Truckee rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Truckee rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Truckee

About renting in Truckee, CA

Last updated: October 17, 2026

The median rent in Truckee is $4,044/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,810/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,430/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,950/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,370/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($130,462/yr), Truckee ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in Truckee?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $162,000/year (about $78/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $4,044/mo in Truckee. The local median household income is $130,462/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in Truckee?

Rent in Truckee has risen 7.0% over the past year.

How does Truckee rent compare to other cities in California?

Truckee is one of the pricier among California cities for rent, ranking #45 of 382 tracked cities at $4,044/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in Truckee changed +7.0%, against a typical +3.4% across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Truckee?

Nearby cities with lower median rent than Truckee ($4,044/mo) include Reno ($1,997/mo), Verdi ($2,064/mo), and Carson City ($2,126/mo).
Income Affordability
37%
MODERATE

At $4,044/mo, rent takes ~37% of Truckee's median household income ($130,462/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Truckee 37%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Truckee affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Truckee
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Truckee, CA

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