1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Morro Bay, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Morro Bay, California as of September 2026. That's +40% lower than the citywide median of $2,999 and +30% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Morro Bay
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Morro Bay
Compare Morro Bay's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $929 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 8 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 9 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 10 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 11 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 12 | Newman | $1,070 |
| 13 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,120 |
| 15 | McKinleyville | $1,130 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $4,030 |
| 2 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 3 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Morro Bay.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Osos, CA | 7.8 mi | $1,900 | +$90 (+5%) |
| Atascadero, CA | 8.5 mi | $1,680 | $-130 (-7%) |
| Templeton, CA | 10.3 mi | $2,350 | +$540 (+30%) |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 12.7 mi | $2,025 | +$215 (+12%) |
| Paso Robles, CA | 18.3 mi | $1,770 | $-40 (-2%) |
| Pismo Beach, CA | 19.1 mi | $2,230 | +$420 (+23%) |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 27.2 mi | $2,000 | +$190 (+10%) |
| Santa Maria, CA | 44.2 mi | $2,560 | +$750 (+41%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 63.6 mi | $2,390 | +$580 (+32%) |
| Solvang, CA | 70.4 mi | $2,390 | +$580 (+32%) |
| Goleta, CA | 80.5 mi | $2,940 | +$1,130 (+62%) |
| Lemoore, CA | 90.8 mi | $1,390 | $-420 (-23%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Morro Bay — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Morro Bay?
As of September 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Morro Bay, California is $1,810 per month. This is +40% below the citywide median of $2,999.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Morro Bay?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $72,400 ($6,033/month gross), which works out to roughly $34.81/hour at a full-time job.
Is Morro Bay expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Morro Bay's 1-bedroom median of $1,810 is +30% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 74th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Morro Bay rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 382 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Morro Bay ranks #98 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Morro Bay?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Atascadero ($1,680), Paso Robles ($1,770), Lemoore ($1,390).