3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in San Luis Obispo, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in San Luis Obispo, California as of October 2026. That's +19% higher than the citywide median of $2,968 and +66% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,579 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 4 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 5 | California City | $1,720 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,820 |
| 9 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 10 | Paradise | $1,860 |
| 11 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 12 | Isla Vista | $1,904 |
| 13 | Eureka | $1,910 |
| 14 | Porterville | $1,910 |
| 15 | Fortuna | $1,920 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $6,010 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $5,870 |
| 3 | Aptos | $5,870 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $5,850 |
| 5 | Coronado | $5,720 |
| 6 | Foster City | $5,690 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $5,380 |
| 8 | Capitola | $5,340 |
| 9 | Solana Beach | $5,330 |
| 10 | Tiburon | $5,250 |
| 11 | Ladera Ranch | $5,250 |
| 12 | Newport Beach | $5,178 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $5,173 |
| 14 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
| 15 | Santa Barbara | $5,050 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than San Luis Obispo.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs San Luis Obispo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pismo Beach, CA | 7.1 mi | $3,900 | +$355 (+10%) |
| Grover Beach, CA | 10.7 mi | $3,220 | $-325 (-9%) |
| Los Osos, CA | 11.3 mi | $3,320 | $-225 (-6%) |
| Atascadero, CA | 13.7 mi | $2,940 | $-605 (-17%) |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 15 mi | $3,510 | $-35 (-1%) |
| Nipomo, CA | 19.7 mi | $3,390 | $-155 (-4%) |
| Paso Robles, CA | 27.8 mi | $3,100 | $-445 (-13%) |
| Santa Maria, CA | 31.6 mi | $3,843 | +$298 (+8%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 51.3 mi | $3,600 | +$55 (+2%) |
| Goleta, CA | 67.9 mi | $4,380 | +$835 (+24%) |
| Isla Vista, CA | 81.5 mi | $1,904 | $-1,641 (-46%) |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 85.5 mi | $5,050 | +$1,505 (+42%) |
3-Bedroom rent in San Luis Obispo — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in San Luis Obispo?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in San Luis Obispo, California is $3,545 per month. This is +19% higher than the citywide median of $2,968.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in San Luis Obispo?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $141,800 ($11,817/month gross), which works out to roughly $68.17/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Luis Obispo expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
San Luis Obispo's 3-bedroom median of $3,545 is +66% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 91th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Luis Obispo rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, San Luis Obispo ranks #197 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near San Luis Obispo?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Grover Beach ($3,220), Los Osos ($3,320), Atascadero ($2,940).