City Report · CA

Vacaville

Pop. 102,596·240th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,599/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.6%
Month-over-Month
+1.4%
vs US Median
+$637
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Vacaville rents
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Vacaville · $2,599
More expensive than 82% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
66/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Vacaville's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,599/mo
Expected by trend
$2,832/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Vacaville's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,785
1 BR
$1,960
2 BR
$2,505
3 BR
$3,350
4 BR+
$3,795
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,505/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,599 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$31,188/yr
At $2,599/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 4.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.6% YoY, +1.4% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Vacaville, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 28% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
102,596
Median income
$111,126
Median age
38.2
Renters
32.5%
Age distribution
21.9%
23.4%
26%
12.9%
15.7%
Under 1821.9%
18–3423.4%
35–5426%
55–6412.9%
65+15.7%
Gender
51.8%
48.2%
Male51.8%
Female48.2%
Race & ethnicity
53.1%
27.9%
White53.1%
Black8.6%
Hispanic27.9%
Asian11.4%
Education (25+)
24.6%
38.4%
28%
No HS diploma9%
HS diploma24.6%
Some college38.4%
Bachelor's+28%
Housing tenure
67.5%
32.5%
Owner67.5%
Renter32.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Vacaville, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,170 → $2,599
up 19.8%
Income
$97,683 → $111,126
up 13.8%
Population
102,256 → 102,596
up 0.3%
Renter share
35% → 32.5%
-2.5 pts
Bachelor's+
25% → 28%
+3.0 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Vacaville, CA has shifted from $2,170 to $2,599, up 19.8% since 2021. Household income in the area moved from $97,683 to $111,126 across the same window, up 13.8% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has eased from 35% to 32.5%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 25% to 28% across the same window. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Vacaville, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Vacaville

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Vacaville on your salary?

At $2,599/mo, how Vacaville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Vacaville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Vacaville

About renting in Vacaville, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Vacaville is $2,599/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,785/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,505/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,960/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,350/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($111,126/yr), Vacaville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Vacaville an affordable city for renters?

Vacaville is considered affordable for renters. At $2,599/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($111,126/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Vacaville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Vacaville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $104,000/year (~$50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,599/mo in Vacaville. The local median household income is $111,126/yr, meaning the typical Vacaville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Vacaville?

Rent in Vacaville has increased 4.6% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Vacaville neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Vacaville are 95687 ($2,580/mo), and 95688 ($2,637/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Vacaville is $2,599/mo.

How does Vacaville rent compare to other cities in California?

Vacaville is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #240 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,599/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Vacaville?

Fairfield is nearby and more affordable at $2,403/mo, which is $196 less than Vacaville.

What percentage of Vacaville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.5% of Vacaville households are renters, while 67.5% are owner-occupied. Vacaville leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Vacaville rent compare to the national average?

Vacaville's median rent of $2,599/mo is $637 (32%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #240 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,599/mo, rent takes ~28% of Vacaville's median household income ($111,126/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Vacaville 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Vacaville affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Vacaville
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Vacaville, CA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Vacaville.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google