3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Pismo Beach, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Pismo Beach, California as of July 2026. That's +19% higher than the citywide median of $3,274 and +83% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,492 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Barstow | $1,639 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 5 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 6 | California City | $1,720 |
| 7 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 8 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 9 | El Centro | $1,820 |
| 10 | Florence-Graham | $1,835 |
| 11 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 12 | Paradise | $1,860 |
| 13 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 14 | Isla Vista | $1,904 |
| 15 | Eureka | $1,910 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $6,055 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $5,870 |
| 3 | Aptos | $5,870 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $5,850 |
| 5 | Coronado | $5,720 |
| 6 | Foster City | $5,690 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $5,380 |
| 8 | Capitola | $5,340 |
| 9 | Solana Beach | $5,330 |
| 10 | Tiburon | $5,250 |
| 11 | Ladera Ranch | $5,250 |
| 12 | Newport Beach | $5,178 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $5,173 |
| 14 | Coto de Caza | $5,130 |
| 15 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Pismo Beach.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Pismo Beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grover Beach, CA | 4 mi | $3,220 | $-680 (-17%) |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 7.1 mi | $3,545 | $-355 (-9%) |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 12.4 mi | $3,510 | $-390 (-10%) |
| Nipomo, CA | 13.7 mi | $3,390 | $-510 (-13%) |
| Los Osos, CA | 15.3 mi | $3,320 | $-580 (-15%) |
| Morro Bay, CA | 19.1 mi | $3,180 | $-720 (-18%) |
| Atascadero, CA | 20.7 mi | $2,940 | $-960 (-25%) |
| Santa Maria, CA | 25.5 mi | $3,843 | $-57 (-1%) |
| Templeton, CA | 26.4 mi | $4,110 | +$210 (+5%) |
| Paso Robles, CA | 34.9 mi | $3,100 | $-800 (-21%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 44.5 mi | $3,600 | $-300 (-8%) |
| Solvang, CA | 51.7 mi | $3,600 | $-300 (-8%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Pismo Beach — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Pismo Beach?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Pismo Beach, California is $3,900 per month. This is +19% higher than the citywide median of $3,274.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Pismo Beach?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $156,000 ($13,000/month gross), which works out to roughly $75.00/hour at a full-time job.
Is Pismo Beach expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Pismo Beach's 3-bedroom median of $3,900 is +83% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Pismo Beach rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Pismo Beach ranks #266 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Pismo Beach?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Grover Beach ($3,220), San Luis Obispo ($3,545), Arroyo Grande ($3,510).