Studio Apartment Rent in Morro Bay, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Morro Bay, California as of August 2026. That's +49% lower than the citywide median of $3,166 and +26% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $864 |
| 3 | Taft | $870 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Barstow | $915 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 8 | California City | $940 |
| 9 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 10 | Paradise | $970 |
| 11 | Eureka | $980 |
| 12 | Oroville | $985 |
| 13 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 14 | Florence-Graham | $1,029 |
| 15 | Porterville | $1,050 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $3,520 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $3,420 |
| 3 | Aptos | $3,420 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $3,410 |
| 5 | Coronado | $3,190 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $3,140 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,130 |
| 8 | Foster City | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 13 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 14 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
| 15 | Saratoga | $2,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Morro Bay.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Osos, CA | 7.8 mi | $1,710 | +$80 (+5%) |
| Atascadero, CA | 8.5 mi | $1,510 | $-120 (-7%) |
| Templeton, CA | 10.3 mi | $2,110 | +$480 (+29%) |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 12.7 mi | $1,820 | +$190 (+12%) |
| Paso Robles, CA | 18.3 mi | $1,590 | $-40 (-2%) |
| Pismo Beach, CA | 19.1 mi | $2,000 | +$370 (+23%) |
| Grover Beach, CA | 23 mi | $1,650 | +$20 (+1%) |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 27.2 mi | $1,800 | +$170 (+10%) |
| Nipomo, CA | 32.4 mi | $1,740 | +$110 (+7%) |
| Santa Maria, CA | 44.2 mi | $2,257 | +$627 (+38%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 63.6 mi | $2,100 | +$470 (+29%) |
| Goleta, CA | 80.5 mi | $2,600 | +$970 (+60%) |
Studio rent in Morro Bay — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Morro Bay?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Morro Bay, California is $1,630 per month. This is +49% below the citywide median of $3,166.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Morro Bay?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $65,200 ($5,433/month gross), which works out to roughly $31.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is Morro Bay expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Morro Bay's studio median of $1,630 is +26% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 72th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Morro Bay rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Morro Bay ranks #88 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Morro Bay?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Atascadero ($1,510), Paso Robles ($1,590).