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City Report · CA

Atascadero

Pop. 29,712·274th most expensive in California·Atascadero rents are up 12.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,410/mo
Year-over-Year
+12.4%
Month-over-Month
+0.3%
vs US Median
+$448
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Atascadero · $2,410
More expensive than 76% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
32% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,410/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$96,000/yr
Local median income
$91,429/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Atascadero's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,510
1 BR
$1,680
2 BR
$2,200
3 BR
$2,940
4 BR+
$3,330
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,200/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,410 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$28,920/yr
At $2,410/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 12.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+12.4% YoY, +0.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Atascadero, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 31.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
29,712
Median income
$91,429
Median age
40.4
Renters
35.4%
Age distribution
21%
21.9%
25.8%
12.8%
18.5%
Under 1821%
18–3421.9%
35–5425.8%
55–6412.8%
65+18.5%
Gender
51.8%
48.2%
Male51.8%
Female48.2%
Race & ethnicity
70.9%
22.5%
White70.9%
Black1%
Hispanic22.5%
Asian4.1%
Other1.5%
Education (25+)
20.1%
41.7%
31.6%
No HS diploma6.6%
HS diploma20.1%
Some college41.7%
Bachelor's+31.6%
Housing tenure
64.6%
35.4%
Owner64.6%
Renter35.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Atascadero, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$82,777 → $91,429
up 10.5%
Population
29,771 → 29,712
down 0.2%
Renter share
36.5% → 35.4%
-1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
30% → 31.6%
+1.6 pts

On the earnings side, the typical household in Atascadero, CA now reports about $91,429, up from $82,777 in 2021.

Community

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View Atascadero rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Atascadero on your salary?

At $2,410/mo, how Atascadero rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Atascadero rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Atascadero. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Atascadero

About renting in Atascadero, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Atascadero is $2,410/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,510/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,200/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,680/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,940/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($91,429/yr), Atascadero ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Atascadero an affordable city for renters?

Atascadero is considered moderate for renters. At $2,410/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($91,429/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Atascadero slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Atascadero?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $96,000/year (~$46/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,410/mo in Atascadero. The local median household income is $91,429/yr, meaning the typical Atascadero household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Atascadero?

Rent in Atascadero has increased 12.4% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Atascadero rent compare to other cities in California?

Atascadero is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #274 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,410/mo.

What percentage of Atascadero residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.4% of Atascadero households are renters, while 64.6% are owner-occupied. Atascadero leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Atascadero rent compare to the national average?

Atascadero's median rent of $2,410/mo is $448 (23%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #274 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $2,410/mo, rent takes ~32% of Atascadero's median household income ($91,429/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Atascadero 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Atascadero affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Atascadero, CA

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