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City Report · CA

Los Osos

Pop. 14,166·180th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,856/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+3.9%
vs US Median
+$891
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Los Osos · $2,856
More expensive than 88% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
31% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,856/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$114,000/yr
Local median income
$108,932/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Los Osos's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,710
1 BR
$1,900
2 BR
$2,490
3 BR
$3,320
4 BR+
$3,770
Research median
$2,490/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$34,272/yr
At $2,856/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +3.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Los Osos, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 53.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
14,166
Median income
$108,932
Median age
48.6
Renters
27.1%
Age distribution
18.5%
15.4%
24.2%
13%
29%
Under 1818.5%
18–3415.4%
35–5424.2%
55–6413%
65+29%
Gender
50.3%
49.7%
Male50.3%
Female49.7%
Race & ethnicity
79.2%
15.1%
White79.2%
Black0.6%
Hispanic15.1%
Asian3.8%
Other1.3%
Education (25+)
32.2%
53.7%
No HS diploma3.2%
HS diploma11%
Some college32.2%
Bachelor's+53.7%
Housing tenure
72.9%
27.1%
Owner72.9%
Renter27.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Los Osos, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$82,894 → $108,932
up 31.4%
Population
15,692 → 14,166
down 9.7%
Renter share
30.4% → 27.1%
-3.3 pts
Bachelor's+
43% → 53.7%
+10.7 pts
Median age
47.9 → 48.6
+0.7 yrs

Median household income grew from $82,894 to $108,932 between 2021 and 2024, a 31.4% shift. Headcount in the area went from 15,692 to 14,166 between 2021 and 2024, a 9.7% change. About 27.1% of households rent today, against 30.4% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 43% to 53.7%.

Community

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View Los Osos rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Los Osos on your salary?

At $2,856/mo, how Los Osos rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Los Osos rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Los Osos. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Los Osos

About renting in Los Osos, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Los Osos is $2,856/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,710/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,490/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,900/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,320/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($108,932/yr), Los Osos ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Los Osos an affordable city for renters?

Los Osos is considered moderate for renters. At $2,856/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($108,932/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Los Osos slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Los Osos?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $114,000/year (~$55/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,856/mo in Los Osos. The local median household income is $108,932/yr, meaning the typical Los Osos household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Los Osos?

Rent in Los Osos has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Los Osos rent compare to other cities in California?

Los Osos is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #180 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,856/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Los Osos?

Atascadero is nearby and more affordable at $2,404/mo, which is $452 less than Los Osos.

What percentage of Los Osos residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 27.1% of Los Osos households are renters, while 72.9% are owner-occupied. Los Osos leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Los Osos rent compare to the national average?

Los Osos's median rent of $2,856/mo is $891 (45%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #180 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $2,856/mo, rent takes ~31% of Los Osos's median household income ($108,932/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Los Osos 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Los Osos affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Los Osos, CA

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