Studio Apartment Rent in Pismo Beach, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Pismo Beach, California as of October 2026. That's +38% lower than the citywide median of $3,242 and +55% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Taft | $870 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 7 | California City | $940 |
| 8 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 9 | Paradise | $970 |
| 10 | Eureka | $980 |
| 11 | Oroville | $985 |
| 12 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,050 |
| 14 | Anderson | $1,060 |
| 15 | Shafter | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $3,570 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $3,420 |
| 3 | Aptos | $3,420 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $3,410 |
| 5 | Coronado | $3,190 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $3,140 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,130 |
| 8 | Foster City | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 13 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 14 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
| 15 | Saratoga | $2,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Pismo Beach.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Pismo Beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grover Beach, CA | 4 mi | $1,650 | $-350 (-17%) |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 7.1 mi | $1,820 | $-180 (-9%) |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 12.4 mi | $1,800 | $-200 (-10%) |
| Nipomo, CA | 13.7 mi | $1,740 | $-260 (-13%) |
| Los Osos, CA | 15.3 mi | $1,710 | $-290 (-14%) |
| Atascadero, CA | 20.7 mi | $1,510 | $-490 (-24%) |
| Santa Maria, CA | 25.5 mi | $2,257 | +$257 (+13%) |
| Paso Robles, CA | 34.9 mi | $1,590 | $-410 (-20%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 44.5 mi | $2,100 | +$100 (+5%) |
| Goleta, CA | 61.6 mi | $2,600 | +$600 (+30%) |
| Isla Vista, CA | 75.7 mi | $1,535 | $-465 (-23%) |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 80.1 mi | $3,000 | +$1,000 (+50%) |
Studio rent in Pismo Beach — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Pismo Beach?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Pismo Beach, California is $2,000 per month. This is +38% below the citywide median of $3,242.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Pismo Beach?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $80,000 ($6,667/month gross), which works out to roughly $38.46/hour at a full-time job.
Is Pismo Beach expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Pismo Beach's studio median of $2,000 is +55% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 87th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Pismo Beach rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Pismo Beach ranks #192 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Pismo Beach?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Grover Beach ($1,650), San Luis Obispo ($1,820), Arroyo Grande ($1,800).