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ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 93401

Pop. 29,202·San Luis Obispo County·421st most expensive ZIP in California
Median rent (all units)
$2,850/mo
Year-over-Year
-10.1%
Month-over-Month
-4.7%
vs US Median
+$885
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 93401 · $2,850
More expensive than 88% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,000
1 BR
$2,210
2 BR
$2,900
3 BR
$3,890
4 BR+
$4,460
Research median
$2,900/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
$34,200/yr
At $2,850/mo median
Location
StateCA
CountySan Luis Obispo County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 10.1% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-10.1% YoY, -4.7% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 93401 (San Luis Obispo, CA) is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 55.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
29,202
Median income
$96,824
Median age
37.1
Renters
52.1%
Age distribution
13.8%
33.7%
22.7%
19.1%
Under 1813.8%
18–3433.7%
35–5422.7%
55–6410.8%
65+19.1%
Gender
48.9%
51.1%
Male48.9%
Female51.1%
Race & ethnicity
74.8%
18.5%
White74.8%
Black1.6%
Hispanic18.5%
Asian4.3%
Other0.9%
Education (25+)
12.7%
28.3%
55.9%
No HS diploma3.2%
HS diploma12.7%
Some college28.3%
Bachelor's+55.9%
Housing tenure
47.9%
52.1%
Owner47.9%
Renter52.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 93401 in San Luis Obispo, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$83,814 → $96,824
up 15.5%
Population
28,654 → 29,202
up 1.9%
Renter share
51.5% → 52.1%
+0.6 pts
Bachelor's+
53.3% → 55.9%
+2.6 pts
Median age
36.4 → 37.1
+0.7 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $83,814 to $96,824 across the same window, up 15.5% versus 2021. Census counts show ZIP 93401 in San Luis Obispo, CA adding about 548 residents over the five-year window, up 1.9% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 53.3% to 55.9% across the same window.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 93401

About renting in ZIP 93401

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 93401 covers San Luis Obispo, CA. The median rent here is $2,850/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,210/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,900/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($96,824/yr), ZIP 93401 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 10.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 93401?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 93401 (San Luis Obispo, CA) is $2,850. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 93401 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 93401's median rent of $2,850/mo is $885 (45%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 93401 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 93401 falls in the middle range for California, ranking #421 out of 907 ZIPs at $2,850/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 93401?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $114,000/year (~$55/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,850/mo in ZIP 93401. The local median household income is $96,824/yr, meaning the typical household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 93401?

Rent in ZIP 93401 has decreased 10.1% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Is ZIP 93401 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 93401 is considered moderate for renters. At $2,850/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($96,824/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 93401 slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

What percentage of ZIP 93401 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52.1% of ZIP 93401 households are renters, while 47.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 93401 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 93401 compare to the rest of San Luis Obispo?

ZIP 93401 is more affordable than San Luis Obispo overall. At $2,850/mo, it's $116 below the San Luis Obispo citywide median of $2,966/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 93401 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 93401 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
35%
MODERATE

At $2,850/mo, rent takes ~35% of ZIP 93401's median household income ($96,824/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 93401 35%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
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Public schools near ZIP 93401 (San Luis Obispo, CA)

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