At $2,445/mo, rent takes about 32% 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 $2,445 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
Rent in Atascadero changed +5.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($91,429) is $2,286 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,200); a 3-bedroom is $2,940.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Atascadero. 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
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Atascadero, CA has changed in 5 years
On the earnings side, the typical household in Atascadero, CA now reports about $91,429, up from $82,777 in 2021.
Discussions about Atascadero
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Can you afford rent in Atascadero on your salary?
At $2,445/mo, how Atascadero rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Atascadero rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Atascadero. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Atascadero
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Atascadero is $2,445/mo as of October 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 5.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Atascadero?
Is rent going up or down in Atascadero?
How does Atascadero rent compare to other cities in California?
At $2,445/mo, rent takes ~32% of Atascadero's median household income ($91,429/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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