Featured Rentals
Special Interest
Housing in Kern County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Kern County averages $1,300/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the California median of $2,036 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 34% of household income on rent, above the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Kern County FMR Area are $1,211 for a studio, $1,219 for 1‑bedroom, $1,586 for 2‑bedroom, $2,206 for 3‑bedroom, and $2,661 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $286 increase for a 2-bedroom in Kern County shows a 22% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Kern County was 8.6% in 2024, compared to California at 5.3% and the national rate of 4.0%.
