Average Rent in Modesto, CA (2026)

Typical asking rent in Modesto is $1,967. Across the 5 ZIP codes with data it runs from $1,623 to $2,131, so which side of town you buy on matters as much as the city average. Data as of July 2026.

Median rent
$1,967
Average rent
$1,941
Lowest ZIP
$1,623
Highest ZIP
$2,131

Rent by ZIP code in Modesto

ZIP codeCountyTypical rentvs city median
95355Stanislaus County$2,131+8%
95356Stanislaus County$2,130+8%
95350Stanislaus County$1,9670%
95354Stanislaus County$1,853-6%
95351Stanislaus County$1,623-17%

Rent by bedroom count in Modesto

Zillow's index above blends every unit size into one number. For a bedroom level view, these are HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rents for Stanislaus County. They include utilities and sit near the 40th percentile of the market, so treat them as the low side of what a typical unit lists for.

Unit sizeFY2027 Fair Market RentChange from FY2026
Studio$1,276+1.7%
1 bedroom$1,378+1.6%
2 bedroom$1,803+2.6%
3 bedroom$2,410-1.3%
4 bedroom$2,827+0.1%

Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Updates when HUD publishes a new fiscal year.

Is rent going up or down in Modesto?

Typical rent across Stanislaus County is $2,068 as of August 2026. That is up 1.0% from a year earlier and up 19.8% over five years.

YearTypical rent, Stanislaus CountyChange
2021$1,789+12.8%
2022$1,877+4.9%
2023$1,965+4.7%
2024$2,027+3.2%
2025$2,046+0.9%
2026 (through August)$2,068+1.1%

Zillow Observed Rent Index for the county, all home types, last published month of each year. Each row is compared with the end of the year before it.

Modesto rent questions

What is the average rent in Modesto, CA?
Typical asking rent in Modesto is $1,967 a month as of July 2026, across 5 ZIP codes. By ZIP code it runs from $1,623 to $2,131.
How much is rent for a 2 bedroom in Modesto?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two bedroom in Stanislaus County is $1,803 a month including utilities. A one bedroom is $1,378 and a three bedroom is $2,410. Fair Market Rent is set near the 40th percentile, so a typical unit lists somewhat higher.
Is rent going up or down in Modesto?
Rent is rising. Typical rent in Stanislaus County is $2,068 as of August 2026, up 1.0% from a year earlier.
What is the cheapest ZIP code to rent in Modesto?
ZIP 95351 has the lowest typical asking rent in Modesto at $1,623 a month, compared with $1,967 for the city overall.
How much income do you need to rent in Modesto?
Most landlords look for gross income of about three times the rent. At the typical Modesto rent of $1,967, that is about $5,901 a month, or $70,812 a year. This is a common screening rule of thumb, and individual landlords set their own.

How to use these numbers

These are Zillow Observed Rent Index values, a smoothed measure of typical asking rent for single family homes, condos, and apartments in each ZIP code. They describe what units are listed for, not what any specific unit will get. Condition, bedroom count, and the exact block all move the number.

If you are underwriting a purchase, use the ZIP figure rather than the city median, and then verify against live listings for the same bedroom count before you commit. Modesto sits in the Modesto, CA metro area.

Other California cities

Would a rental in Modesto cash flow?

Start the analyzer with the Modesto median rent of $1,967 and add a real purchase price to see cash flow, cap rate, and cash-on-cash return.