2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Luis Obispo, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in San Luis Obispo, California as of October 2026. That's +11% lower than the citywide median of $2,968 and +60% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $1,171 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | California City | $1,230 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,370 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 2 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 3 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 4 | Montecito | $4,540 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than San Luis Obispo.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs San Luis Obispo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pismo Beach, CA | 7.1 mi | $2,920 | +$265 (+10%) |
| Grover Beach, CA | 10.7 mi | $2,410 | $-245 (-9%) |
| Los Osos, CA | 11.3 mi | $2,490 | $-165 (-6%) |
| Atascadero, CA | 13.7 mi | $2,200 | $-455 (-17%) |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 15 mi | $2,630 | $-25 (-1%) |
| Nipomo, CA | 19.7 mi | $2,540 | $-115 (-4%) |
| Paso Robles, CA | 27.8 mi | $2,320 | $-335 (-13%) |
| Santa Maria, CA | 31.6 mi | $2,890 | +$235 (+9%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 51.3 mi | $2,700 | +$45 (+2%) |
| Goleta, CA | 67.9 mi | $3,310 | +$655 (+25%) |
| Isla Vista, CA | 81.5 mi | $2,547 | $-108 (-4%) |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 85.5 mi | $3,812 | +$1,157 (+44%) |
2-Bedroom rent in San Luis Obispo — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in San Luis Obispo?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in San Luis Obispo, California is $2,655 per month. This is +11% below the citywide median of $2,968.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in San Luis Obispo?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $106,200 ($8,850/month gross), which works out to roughly $51.06/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Luis Obispo expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Luis Obispo's 2-bedroom median of $2,655 is +60% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 89th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Luis Obispo rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, San Luis Obispo ranks #185 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near San Luis Obispo?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Grover Beach ($2,410), Los Osos ($2,490), Atascadero ($2,200).