salaryRent is lower than in 80% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.8 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $45,320 a year. That is $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 20 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Taft?
Share of households by yearly income. 11.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Taft
| Size | Taft | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $636 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,040 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,445 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,029 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Taft 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 Taft, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Taft
Life in Taft
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Taft?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $620 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $252,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $25,260 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Taft, CA?
Renting in Taft costs a median of about $1,133 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Taft?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $45,320 a year, or $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Taft cheap or expensive?
Taft is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.3% of the typical household income of $78,485. It ranks 20th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Taft?
The median homeowner in Taft pays $2,244 a year in property taxes, about 0.89% of the median home value.
Is Taft 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 Taft?
The median home value in Taft is $252,600, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
7,125 people live in Taft. Numbers are typical (middle) values.