salaryRent is higher than in 83% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 30.5 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $96,040 a year. That is $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 347 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Fullerton?
Share of households by yearly income. 41.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Fullerton
| Size | Fullerton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,992 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,038 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,334 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,119 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Fullerton overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Fullerton, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Fullerton
Life in Fullerton
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Fullerton?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,862 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $902,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $90,260 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Fullerton, CA?
Renting in Fullerton costs a median of about $2,401 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Fullerton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $96,040 a year, or $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Fullerton cheap or expensive?
Fullerton is rated OK: rent takes 25.6% of the typical household income of $112,472. It ranks 347th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Fullerton?
The median homeowner in Fullerton pays $5,697 a year in property taxes, about 0.63% of the median home value.
Is Fullerton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Fullerton?
The median home value in Fullerton is $902,600, about 8.0 times the typical yearly household income.
140,968 people live in Fullerton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.