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City Report · CA

Nipomo

Pop. 17,516·83rd most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,498/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-0.6%
vs US Median
+$1,533
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Nipomo · $3,498
More expensive than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
38% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,498/mo, rent takes about 38% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$140,000/yr
Local median income
$110,022/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Nipomo's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,740
1 BR
$1,940
2 BR
$2,540
3 BR
$3,390
4 BR+
$3,840
Research median
$2,540/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$41,976/yr
At $3,498/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -0.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
17,516
Median income
$110,022
Median age
37.8
Renters
34.4%
Age distribution
24.5%
21.1%
26.8%
15.7%
Under 1824.5%
18–3421.1%
35–5426.8%
55–6411.8%
65+15.7%
Gender
49.1%
50.9%
Male49.1%
Female50.9%
Race & ethnicity
46%
51.6%
White46%
Black0.8%
Hispanic51.6%
Asian4.5%
Education (25+)
15.5%
23%
36.5%
25%
No HS diploma15.5%
HS diploma23%
Some college36.5%
Bachelor's+25%
Housing tenure
65.6%
34.4%
Owner65.6%
Renter34.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Nipomo, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$88,525 → $110,022
up 24.3%
Population
18,440 → 17,516
down 5.0%
Renter share
32.1% → 34.4%
+2.3 pts
Bachelor's+
24.7% → 25%
+0.3 pts

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.

Community

Discussions about Nipomo

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View Nipomo rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Nipomo on your salary?

At $3,498/mo, how Nipomo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Nipomo rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Nipomo. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Nipomo

About renting in Nipomo, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Nipomo is $3,498/mo as of July 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 38% 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Nipomo an affordable city for renters?

Nipomo is considered moderate for renters. At $3,498/mo, rent takes approximately 38% of the local median household income ($110,022/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Nipomo slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Nipomo?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $140,000/year (~$67/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,498/mo in Nipomo. The local median household income is $110,022/yr, meaning the typical Nipomo household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Nipomo?

Rent in Nipomo has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Nipomo rent compare to other cities in California?

Nipomo is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #83 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,498/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Nipomo?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Nipomo ($3,498/mo): Santa Maria ($2,520/mo), Grover Beach ($2,701/mo), San Luis Obispo ($2,966/mo).

What percentage of Nipomo residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.4% of Nipomo households are renters, while 65.6% are owner-occupied. Nipomo leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Nipomo rent compare to the national average?

Nipomo's median rent of $3,498/mo is $1,533 (78%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #83 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
38%
MODERATE

At $3,498/mo, rent takes ~38% of Nipomo's median household income ($110,022/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Nipomo 38%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Nipomo affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Nipomo, CA

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