At $3,026/mo, rent takes about 35% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,026 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($102,553) is $2,564 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($2,000); a 2-bedroom is $2,630.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Arroyo Grande. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Arroyo Grande, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 45.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Arroyo Grande, CA has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $90,405 in 2021 to $102,553 more recently. The renter share has risen from 34.8% to 39.4%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 37.1% to 45.3% across the same window.
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At $3,026/mo, how Arroyo Grande rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Arroyo Grande rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Arroyo Grande. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Arroyo Grande
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Arroyo Grande is $3,026/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,800/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,630/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,000/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,510/mo.
At 35% of local median household income ($102,553/yr), Arroyo Grande ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does Arroyo Grande rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Arroyo Grande?
At $3,026/mo, rent takes ~35% of Arroyo Grande's median household income ($102,553/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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