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Rental Market Trends in San Luis Obispo, CA

What is the average rent in San Luis Obispo, CA?

$1,924/month

Average Rent

594 Sq Ft

Average Apartment Size

-0.1%

Decrease in the Last Year

As of September 2025, the average rent in San Luis Obispo, CA is $1,924 per month. This is 17% higher than the national average rent price of $1,639/month, making San Luis Obispo one of the most expensive cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in San Luis Obispo, you can expect to pay about $2,172 per month for a studio, $1,924 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $2,473 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $3,391 or more.

Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$2,172/month
492 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,924/month
594 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,473/month
881 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,391/month
1,153 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,108/month
778 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,999/month
1,368 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$6,349/month
2,047 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,990/month
981 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft

How much has average rent changed in San Luis Obispo, CA?

In the past year, rent has decreased by 0.1%, which averages out to $0 less per month.

Market Trends Over Time   The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated September 2025
Legend
2024 2025
Market Trends Over Time

Rent by Neighborhood

Last Updated Today
  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in San Luis Obispo?

Based on current rent prices, Old Town Historic District is the most affordable neighborhood in San Luis Obispo.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Old Town Historic District
$3,066/month
720 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in San Luis Obispo?

Based on current rent prices, Old Town Historic District is the most expensive neighborhood in San Luis Obispo.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Old Town Historic District
$3,066/month
720 Sq Ft

Which San Luis Obispo neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhood in San Luis Obispo with the most apartments available is Old Town Historic District .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Old Town Historic District
$3,066/month
720 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in San Luis Obispo, CA?

Because the average rent in San Luis Obispo is $1,924, you’ll want to make about $6,413 per month or $76,956 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.

City

San Luis Obispo, CA

166 Available Apartments for Rent

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How does San Luis Obispo, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?

Use the tool below to compare San Luis Obispo, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.

Explore the Area Guide for San Luis Obispo, CA

Apartment Averages

Old Town Historic District

San Luis Obispo, CA

Old Town Historic District

San Luis Obispo, CA

Studio
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-
One Bedroom
-
-
Two Bedroom
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-
Three Bedroom
-
-
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Nearby City Rent Trends

  • Pismo Beach Average Rent
  • Grover Beach Average Rent
  • Arroyo Grande Average Rent
  • Atascadero Average Rent

Apartment communities in San Luis Obispo we think you'll love

The SLO Student Living Apartments

The SLO Student Living Apartments

1050 Foothill Blvd,
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

$579 - $829

1 Bed

Artisan Apartments

Artisan Apartments

564 Higuera St,
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

$2,620 - $3,630

Studio - 1 Bed

Palomar at SLO

Palomar at SLO

71 Palomar Ave,
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

$1,350 - $2,445

Studio - 5 Beds

Chorro at SLO

Chorro at SLO

22 Chorro St,
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

$1,350 - $1,581

4 Beds

Property Management Companies in San Luis Obispo, CA

Cardinal Group Management and Advisory, LLC
Cardinal Group Management and Advisory, LLC
  • 160

    Communities

  • 32,928

    Units

  • 85

    Cities

2 Communities in San Luis Obispo
Walsh & Company
Walsh & Company
  • 26

    Communities

  • 3,483

    Units

  • 20

    Cities

2 Communities in San Luis Obispo
Winn Companies
Winn Companies
  • 165

    Communities

  • 33,289

    Units

  • 116

    Cities

1 Community in San Luis Obispo
Pacifica Companies
Pacifica Companies
  • 83

    Communities

  • 13,268

    Units

  • 63

    Cities

1 Community in San Luis Obispo

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United States California San Luis Obispo Rental Trends

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in September 2025.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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Equal Housing Opportunity