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City Report · CA

San Luis Obispo

Pop. 48,491·157th most expensive in California·San Luis Obispo rents have dropped 14.0%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$2,966/mo
Year-over-Year
-14.0%
Month-over-Month
-7.4%
vs US Median
+$1,001
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
San Luis Obispo · $2,966
More expensive than 90% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
81/100
Great value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 16% below what San Luis Obispo's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,966/mo
Expected by trend
$3,515/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where San Luis Obispo's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,820
1 BR
$2,025
2 BR
$2,655
3 BR
$3,545
4 BR+
$4,015
Research median
$2,655/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
$35,592/yr
At $2,966/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 14.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-14.0% YoY, -7.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

San Luis Obispo, CA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 54.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
48,491
Median income
$73,685
Median age
26.3
Renters
59.7%
Age distribution
50.3%
16.4%
14.9%
Under 1810.3%
18–3450.3%
35–5416.4%
55–648.1%
65+14.9%
Gender
48.7%
51.3%
Male48.7%
Female51.3%
Race & ethnicity
73.3%
18.4%
White73.3%
Black1.2%
Hispanic18.4%
Asian5.7%
Other1.3%
Education (25+)
12.7%
29.5%
54.4%
No HS diploma3.4%
HS diploma12.7%
Some college29.5%
Bachelor's+54.4%
Housing tenure
40.3%
59.7%
Owner40.3%
Renter59.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How San Luis Obispo, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,646 → $2,966
up 12.1%
Income
$61,862 → $73,685
up 19.1%
Population
47,257 → 48,491
up 2.6%
Renter share
60.5% → 59.7%
-0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
51.6% → 54.4%
+2.8 pts

Rent in San Luis Obispo, CA has climbed 12.1% since 2021, going from about $2,646 per month to roughly $2,966 today. Census figures show median household income at $73,685 today, compared with $61,862 five years earlier. Income growth outran rent by about 7.0 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 47,257 to 48,491 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.6% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 51.6% to 54.4%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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View San Luis Obispo rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in San Luis Obispo on your salary?

At $2,966/mo, how San Luis Obispo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

San Luis Obispo rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in San Luis Obispo. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in San Luis Obispo

About renting in San Luis Obispo, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in San Luis Obispo is $2,966/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,820/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,655/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,025/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,545/mo.

At 48% of local median household income ($73,685/yr), San Luis Obispo ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 14.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is San Luis Obispo an affordable city for renters?

San Luis Obispo is considered stretched for renters. At $2,966/mo, rent takes approximately 48% of the local median household income ($73,685/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. San Luis Obispo significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in San Luis Obispo?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $119,000/year (~$57/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,966/mo in San Luis Obispo. The local median household income is $73,685/yr, meaning the typical San Luis Obispo household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in San Luis Obispo?

Rent in San Luis Obispo has decreased 14.0% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which San Luis Obispo neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in San Luis Obispo are 93401 ($2,850/mo), and 93405 ($3,546/mo). Citywide, the median rent in San Luis Obispo is $2,966/mo.

How does San Luis Obispo rent compare to other cities in California?

San Luis Obispo is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #157 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,966/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than San Luis Obispo?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than San Luis Obispo ($2,966/mo): Atascadero ($2,404/mo), Grover Beach ($2,701/mo), Los Osos ($2,856/mo).

What percentage of San Luis Obispo residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 59.7% of San Luis Obispo households are renters, while 40.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, San Luis Obispo has a strong rental market.

How does San Luis Obispo rent compare to the national average?

San Luis Obispo's median rent of $2,966/mo is $1,001 (51%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #157 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
48%
STRETCHED

At $2,966/mo, rent takes ~48% of San Luis Obispo's median household income ($73,685/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

San Luis Obispo 48%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the San Luis Obispo affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in San Luis Obispo
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near San Luis Obispo, CA

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