At $3,248/mo, rent takes about 35% 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 $3,248 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
30% of the median household income ($110,022) is $2,751 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,540); a 3-bedroom is $3,390.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Nipomo. 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
Nipomo, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 25% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Nipomo, CA has changed in 5 years
On the earnings side, the typical household in Nipomo, CA now reports about $110,022, up from $88,525 in 2021. The population has contracted by 5.0% since 2021, moving from about 18,440 residents to roughly 17,516. Renters now make up 34.4% of households, compared with 32.1% five years ago.
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Can you afford rent in Nipomo on your salary?
At $3,248/mo, how Nipomo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Nipomo rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Nipomo. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Nipomo
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Nipomo is $3,248/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,740/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,540/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,940/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,390/mo.
At 35% of local median household income ($110,022/yr), Nipomo ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Nipomo?
How does Nipomo rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Nipomo?
At $3,248/mo, rent takes ~35% of Nipomo's median household income ($110,022/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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