1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Pismo Beach, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Pismo Beach, California as of August 2026. That's +37% lower than the citywide median of $3,529 and +60% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Pismo Beach
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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Pismo Beach
Compare Pismo Beach's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $914 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $969 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Pismo Beach.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Pismo Beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grover Beach, CA | 4 mi | $1,840 | $-390 (-17%) |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 7.1 mi | $2,025 | $-205 (-9%) |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 12.4 mi | $2,000 | $-230 (-10%) |
| Nipomo, CA | 13.7 mi | $1,940 | $-290 (-13%) |
| Los Osos, CA | 15.3 mi | $1,900 | $-330 (-15%) |
| Morro Bay, CA | 19.1 mi | $1,810 | $-420 (-19%) |
| Atascadero, CA | 20.7 mi | $1,680 | $-550 (-25%) |
| Santa Maria, CA | 25.5 mi | $2,560 | +$330 (+15%) |
| Templeton, CA | 26.4 mi | $2,350 | +$120 (+5%) |
| Paso Robles, CA | 34.9 mi | $1,770 | $-460 (-21%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 44.5 mi | $2,390 | +$160 (+7%) |
| Goleta, CA | 61.6 mi | $2,940 | +$710 (+32%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Pismo Beach — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Pismo Beach?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Pismo Beach, California is $2,230 per month. This is +37% below the citywide median of $3,529.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Pismo Beach?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $89,200 ($7,433/month gross), which works out to roughly $42.88/hour at a full-time job.
Is Pismo Beach expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Pismo Beach's 1-bedroom median of $2,230 is +60% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 90th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Pismo Beach rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 379 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Pismo Beach ranks #207 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Pismo Beach?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Grover Beach ($1,840), San Luis Obispo ($2,025), Arroyo Grande ($2,000).