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A recent study by Highland Cabinetry, a Phoenix-based wholesale cabinet manufacturer, found that Fresno ranked first in the country among 80 cities for the fastest-rising rent.

Fresno’s rental costs increased by 32.6% in 2024, more than double the rate of the second-ranked city, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which was 17.7%.

Fresno, Winston-Salem and Overland Park, Kansas were the only cities with over a 10% increase.

Jersey City, New Jersey, had the lowest rate of increase, with a 12.73% decrease.

According to the study, Fresno’s average rent in January 2024 was $1,395, compared to $1,850 in December.

Among the nine California cities in the survey, Fresno had the lowest cost of living index at 109, which measures affordability. 100 is considered average, and the lower number is more affordable.

The study cites that the median household income in Fresno is $66,804, which increased by 10.10%. It projects that the average rent for 2025 will be around $1,495, which is lower than where it ended last year.