3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Morro Bay, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Morro Bay, California as of September 2026. That's +6% higher than the citywide median of $2,999 and +49% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,563 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 4 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 5 | California City | $1,720 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,820 |
| 9 | Florence-Graham | $1,835 |
| 10 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 11 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 12 | Isla Vista | $1,904 |
| 13 | Eureka | $1,910 |
| 14 | Porterville | $1,910 |
| 15 | Shafter | $1,930 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $6,010 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $5,870 |
| 3 | Aptos | $5,870 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $5,850 |
| 5 | Coronado | $5,720 |
| 6 | Foster City | $5,690 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $5,380 |
| 8 | Capitola | $5,340 |
| 9 | Solana Beach | $5,330 |
| 10 | Tiburon | $5,250 |
| 11 | Ladera Ranch | $5,250 |
| 12 | Newport Beach | $5,178 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $5,173 |
| 14 | Coto de Caza | $5,130 |
| 15 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Morro Bay.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Osos, CA | 7.8 mi | $3,320 | +$140 (+4%) |
| Atascadero, CA | 8.5 mi | $2,940 | $-240 (-8%) |
| Templeton, CA | 10.3 mi | $4,110 | +$930 (+29%) |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 12.7 mi | $3,545 | +$365 (+11%) |
| Paso Robles, CA | 18.3 mi | $3,100 | $-80 (-3%) |
| Pismo Beach, CA | 19.1 mi | $3,900 | +$720 (+23%) |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 27.2 mi | $3,510 | +$330 (+10%) |
| Santa Maria, CA | 44.2 mi | $3,843 | +$663 (+21%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 63.6 mi | $3,600 | +$420 (+13%) |
| Solvang, CA | 70.4 mi | $3,600 | +$420 (+13%) |
| Goleta, CA | 80.5 mi | $4,380 | +$1,200 (+38%) |
| Lemoore, CA | 90.8 mi | $2,440 | $-740 (-23%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Morro Bay — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Morro Bay?
As of September 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Morro Bay, California is $3,180 per month. This is +6% higher than the citywide median of $2,999.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Morro Bay?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $127,200 ($10,600/month gross), which works out to roughly $61.15/hour at a full-time job.
Is Morro Bay expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Morro Bay's 3-bedroom median of $3,180 is +49% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 84th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Morro Bay rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 382 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Morro Bay ranks #127 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Morro Bay?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Atascadero ($2,940), Paso Robles ($3,100), Lemoore ($2,440).