Studio Apartment Rent in San Luis Obispo, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in San Luis Obispo, California as of July 2026. That's +39% lower than the citywide median of $2,966 and +41% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $838 |
| 3 | Taft | $870 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Barstow | $920 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 8 | California City | $940 |
| 9 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 10 | Paradise | $970 |
| 11 | Eureka | $980 |
| 12 | Oroville | $985 |
| 13 | Florence-Graham | $1,029 |
| 14 | Porterville | $1,050 |
| 15 | Anderson | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $3,520 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $3,420 |
| 3 | Aptos | $3,420 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $3,410 |
| 5 | Coronado | $3,190 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $3,140 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,130 |
| 8 | Foster City | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Coto de Caza | $3,070 |
| 12 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 13 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 14 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 15 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than San Luis Obispo.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs San Luis Obispo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pismo Beach, CA | 7.1 mi | $2,000 | +$180 (+10%) |
| Grover Beach, CA | 10.7 mi | $1,650 | $-170 (-9%) |
| Los Osos, CA | 11.3 mi | $1,710 | $-110 (-6%) |
| Morro Bay, CA | 12.7 mi | $1,630 | $-190 (-10%) |
| Atascadero, CA | 13.7 mi | $1,510 | $-310 (-17%) |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 15 mi | $1,800 | $-20 (-1%) |
| Templeton, CA | 19.3 mi | $2,110 | +$290 (+16%) |
| Nipomo, CA | 19.7 mi | $1,740 | $-80 (-4%) |
| Paso Robles, CA | 27.8 mi | $1,590 | $-230 (-13%) |
| Santa Maria, CA | 31.6 mi | $2,257 | +$437 (+24%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 51.3 mi | $2,100 | +$280 (+15%) |
| Solvang, CA | 57.7 mi | $2,100 | +$280 (+15%) |
Studio rent in San Luis Obispo — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in San Luis Obispo?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in San Luis Obispo, California is $1,820 per month. This is +39% below the citywide median of $2,966.
What income do you need to afford a studio in San Luis Obispo?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $72,800 ($6,067/month gross), which works out to roughly $35.00/hour at a full-time job.
Is San Luis Obispo expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
San Luis Obispo's studio median of $1,820 is +41% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 81th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does San Luis Obispo rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 383 cities in California with studio data, San Luis Obispo ranks #146 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near San Luis Obispo?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Grover Beach ($1,650), Los Osos ($1,710), Morro Bay ($1,630).