Would it have been really expensive to rent an apartment in Santa Monica - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 04-08-2026, 07:48 PM

More specifically, an apartment that was by the beach in 1977 (the year that Three's Company first went on the air) dollars and within a "realistic" context? When I forward this question on Google, this is the response that I got:

Typical Beach Location: A two-bedroom unit three blocks from the beach in the Venice/Santa Monica area was rented for $175/month, rising to $475 by 1997.
"Three's Company" Estimate: A popular television show set during that time depicted a 3-person apartment costing roughly $300 a month in 1977/1978.
Comparison: While national median asking rent for new apartments was around $232 in 1977, desirable California beach locations were at a premium, though significantly lower than modern rates.

Again, if Google is accurate, then $300 in 2026 dollars, would cost approximately $1,500 to $1,600.

BestTVever · 04-09-2026, 06:45 PM

I find the estimates to not be credible. I lived in the poorer part of West Palm Beach, FL in 1997 and was paying more than $475 per month for a tiny apartment. Its hard for me to believe in one of California's most famous beach towns you could rent for less. I think the $300 rent in 1977 was probably fair. I think the Google response is way off.

TMC · 06-14-2026, 04:13 AM

Would the Three's Company trio be able to afford their Santa Monica apartment today?

Quote:

2000 Block of 4th St., Santa Monica

While it’s clear throughout the series that “Three’s Company” takes place in Santa Monica, very few people knew exactly where Jack, Crissy and Janet’s apartment was located. If you happen to walk past the 2000 block of 4th Street, you might notice that a building looks a little familiar; it’s the building seen in the opening credits of the show. Surprisingly the unit is not even an apartment complex, but a single- family home built in 1928. During the show, it’s referenced that the roommates’ rent was $300. Over thirty years later, you couldn’t even rent a room let alone an apartment for that price. Today, the same two-bedroom, one bathroom, pet-friendly apartment would go for an estimated $5,000 a month. At that rate, not even the roommates would be able to knock on their own door.

BestTVever · 06-14-2026, 06:21 AM

Google AI says that $300 in 1976 is $1755 today. Only in expensive areas of the country could you get a 2 bedroom apartment for $1755.
The apartment was not on the beach, they had to walk to it.

04-08-2026, 07:48 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 127,324	Would it have been really expensive to rent an apartment in Santa Monica More specifically, an apartment that was by the beach in 1977 (the year that Three's Company first went on the air) dollars and within a "realistic" context? When I forward this question on Google, this is the response that I got: Typical Beach Location: A two-bedroom unit three blocks from the beach in the Venice/Santa Monica area was rented for $175/month, rising to $475 by 1997. "Three's Company" Estimate: A popular television show set during that time depicted a 3-person apartment costing roughly $300 a month in 1977/1978. Comparison: While national median asking rent for new apartments was around $232 in 1977, desirable California beach locations were at a premium, though significantly lower than modern rates. Again, if Google is accurate, then $300 in 2026 dollars, would cost approximately $1,500 to $1,600.

04-09-2026, 06:45 PM	#2
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,948	I find the estimates to not be credible. I lived in the poorer part of West Palm Beach, FL in 1997 and was paying more than $475 per month for a tiny apartment. Its hard for me to believe in one of California's most famous beach towns you could rent for less. I think the $300 rent in 1977 was probably fair. I think the Google response is way off.

06-14-2026, 06:21 AM	#4
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,948	Google AI says that $300 in 1976 is $1755 today. Only in expensive areas of the country could you get a 2 bedroom apartment for $1755. The apartment was not on the beach, they had to walk to it.