At $3,529/mo, rent takes about 36% 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 $3,529 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: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Pismo Beach, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 51.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Pismo Beach, CA has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $118,072 today, compared with $94,268 five years earlier. The renter share has risen from 30.3% to 35.4%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 48.4% to 51.7% across the same window.
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Can you afford rent in Pismo Beach on your salary?
At $3,529/mo, how Pismo Beach rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Pismo Beach rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Pismo Beach. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Pismo Beach
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Pismo Beach is $3,529/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,000/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,920/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,230/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,900/mo.
At 36% of local median household income ($118,072/yr), Pismo Beach ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pismo Beach an affordable city for renters?
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What percentage of Pismo Beach residents rent vs. own?
How does Pismo Beach rent compare to the national average?
At $3,529/mo, rent takes ~36% of Pismo Beach's median household income ($118,072/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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