1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Luis Obispo, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Luis Obispo, California as of July 2026. That's +32% lower than the citywide median of $2,966 and +45% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in San Luis Obispo
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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in San Luis Obispo
Compare San Luis Obispo's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than San Luis Obispo.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs San Luis Obispo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pismo Beach, CA | 7.1 mi | $2,230 | +$205 (+10%) |
| Grover Beach, CA | 10.7 mi | $1,840 | $-185 (-9%) |
| Los Osos, CA | 11.3 mi | $1,900 | $-125 (-6%) |
| Morro Bay, CA | 12.7 mi | $1,810 | $-215 (-11%) |
| Atascadero, CA | 13.7 mi | $1,680 | $-345 (-17%) |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 15 mi | $2,000 | $-25 (-1%) |
| Templeton, CA | 19.3 mi | $2,350 | +$325 (+16%) |
| Nipomo, CA | 19.7 mi | $1,940 | $-85 (-4%) |
| Paso Robles, CA | 27.8 mi | $1,770 | $-255 (-13%) |
| Santa Maria, CA | 31.6 mi | $2,560 | +$535 (+26%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 51.3 mi | $2,390 | +$365 (+18%) |
| Solvang, CA | 57.7 mi | $2,390 | +$365 (+18%) |
1-Bedroom rent in San Luis Obispo — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in San Luis Obispo?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in San Luis Obispo, California is $2,025 per month. This is +32% below the citywide median of $2,966.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in San Luis Obispo?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $81,000 ($6,750/month gross), which works out to roughly $38.94/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Luis Obispo expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Luis Obispo's 1-bedroom median of $2,025 is +45% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 83th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Luis Obispo rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, San Luis Obispo ranks #154 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near San Luis Obispo?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Grover Beach ($1,840), Los Osos ($1,900), Morro Bay ($1,810).