Rents are right about where Tulare's 10-year trend predicts.
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 $1,792 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 Tulare is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2023.
Rent in Tulare changed +2.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($72,410) is $1,810 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,490); a 3-bedroom is $2,050.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Tulare. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Tulare, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 11.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Tulare, CA has changed in 5 years
Across the past five years, the going rent in Tulare, CA has shifted from $1,655 to $1,792, up 8.3% since 2023. On the earnings side, the typical household in Tulare, CA now reports about $72,410, up from $62,050 in 2021. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show Tulare, CA adding about 2,550 residents over the five-year window, up 3.7% on net. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Tulare, CA reflects that arc in its own way.
Discussions about Tulare
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Tulare on your salary?
At $1,792/mo, how Tulare rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Tulare rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Tulare. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Tulare
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Tulare is $1,792/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,130/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,490/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,140/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,050/mo.
At 30% of local median household income ($72,410/yr), Tulare ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Tulare?
Is rent going up or down in Tulare?
How does Tulare rent compare to other cities in California?
At $1,792/mo, rent takes ~30% of Tulare's median household income ($72,410/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Tulare.
No discussions yet.