Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Mariposa County, California
Mariposa County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,486 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,305 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $28.58 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,486
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 44% less than in California
- Typical rent
- $1,305
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 36% less than in California
- Wage needed
- $28.58
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $59,440 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 49%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 12% less than in California
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in Mariposa County. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,035 | $19.90 | $41,400 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,147 | $22.06 | $45,880 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,486 | $28.58 | $59,440 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,058 | $39.58 | $82,320 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,196 | $42.23 | $87,840 |
HUD area: Mariposa County, CA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 10 ZIP codes in Mariposa County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,370 in 95306 to $1,670 in 93623. 8 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,486).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 93623 | Madera County, CA | $1,380 | $1,420 | $1,670 | $2,320 | $2,710 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93623 | Mariposa County, CA | $1,380 | $1,420 | $1,670 | $2,320 | $2,710 |
| 95306 | Mariposa County, CA | $1,000 | $1,080 | $1,370 | $1,880 | $2,200 |
| 95311 | Mariposa County, CA | $1,040 | $1,170 | $1,500 | $2,060 | $2,480 |
| 95311 | Tuolumne County, CA | $1,040 | $1,170 | $1,500 | $2,060 | $2,480 |
| 95318 | Mariposa County, CA | $1,040 | $1,150 | $1,490 | $2,060 | $2,200 |
| 95325 | Mariposa County, CA | $1,040 | $1,150 | $1,490 | $2,060 | $2,200 |
| 95338 | Mariposa County, CA | $1,000 | $1,110 | $1,440 | $1,990 | $2,200 |
| 95345 | Mariposa County, CA | $1,040 | $1,150 | $1,490 | $2,060 | $2,200 |
| 95389 | Mariposa County, CA | $1,040 | $1,150 | $1,490 | $2,060 | $2,200 |
- 93623 · Madera County, CA $1,670$2,320
- 93623 · Mariposa County, CA $1,670$2,320
- 95306 · Mariposa County, CA $1,370$1,880
- 95311 · Mariposa County, CA $1,500$2,060
- 95311 · Tuolumne County, CA $1,500$2,060
- 95318 · Mariposa County, CA $1,490$2,060
- 95325 · Mariposa County, CA $1,490$2,060
- 95338 · Mariposa County, CA $1,440$1,990
- 95345 · Mariposa County, CA $1,490$2,060
- 95389 · Mariposa County, CA $1,490$2,060
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Mariposa County, 49% of renter households are in that position; in California, 55%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
49%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
1,897 households rent in Mariposa County
- Spend half or more of their income 28%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 20%
- Spend less than 30% 51%
Compared with the state and the country
- Mariposa 49%
- California 55%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Mariposa County
HUD lists 3 properties with homes for low-income households in Mariposa County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC). They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 3
102 homes in all; 102 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Mariposa Terrace II Tax credit (LIHTC) 5072 Saint Andrews Rd, Mariposa 95338 36 low-income homes · In service since 1989 · For older adults
- Mariposa Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 5075 Saint Andrews Rd, Mariposa 95338 34 low-income homes · In service since 1996 · For families
- Mariposa Terrace Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 5020 Coakley Cir, Mariposa 95338 32 low-income homes · In service since 1990 · For families
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in Mariposa County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. A public housing agency runs it. HUD lists none with an office in Mariposa County; the state's agencies can help you. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
-
You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
-
Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
-
Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
-
If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
-
When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
-
Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $20,450 | $34,000 | $54,400 |
| 2 people | $23,350 | $38,850 | $62,200 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $43,700 | $69,950 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $48,550 | $77,700 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $52,450 | $83,950 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $56,350 | $90,150 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $60,250 | $96,350 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $64,100 | $102,600 |
Area median income: $95,600. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Mariposa County, CA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $932 – $1,139
- 1 bedroom $1,032 – $1,262
- 2 bedrooms $1,337 – $1,635
- 3 bedrooms $1,852 – $2,264
- 4 bedrooms $1,976 – $2,416
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
HUD lists no housing agency with an office in Mariposa County. You can apply at another agency in your state: you do not have to live where you apply. Source: HUD
Your rights as a tenant in California
What California law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- How much can they charge for a deposit?
- Up to 1 month of rent
- Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5(c)(1), (c)(4)
- When must they return my deposit?
- 21 days
- Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 3 court days
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §1161(2)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 or 60 days, depending on the case
- Cal. Civ. Code §1946.1(b), (c)
- Only a court order can remove youCal. Civ. Code §789.3
- Protection from retaliationCal. Civ. Code §1942.5
- Protection related to immigration statusCal. Civ. Code §1940.3
Help
Where to get help with rent in Mariposa County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Community Housing Council of Fresno
2560 W Shaw Ln Ste 101, Fresno · 53 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 7 more
-
Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries
1940 N Fresno St, Fresno · 56 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 11 more
Rental assistance programs
The ones that serve in Mariposa County or the whole state, with what each page says about being open.
-
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): energy bill help
Run by California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD)
One-time payment from the federal LIHEAP program in California to help with your heating or cooling bill, or if your service is about to be shut off
Limited funds remain, per the source
See details
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Mariposa County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in California, the average home bill was $161 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$2,972
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,486
- Security deposit
- $1,486
- Total
- $2,972
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in Mariposa County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,035; 1 bedroom: $1,147; 2 bedrooms: $1,486; 3 bedrooms: $2,058; 4 bedrooms: $2,196. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Mariposa County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,486) without spending more than 30% of income takes $28.58 an hour full time, or $59,440 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Mariposa County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $48,550 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in Mariposa County?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $1,337 and $1,635 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Mariposa County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,370 in 95306 to $1,670 in 93623. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in Mariposa County?
HUD lists 3 properties with homes for low-income households in Mariposa County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC). They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in Mariposa County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Mariposa County, 49% of renter households are in that position; in California, 55%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).