• Renter Tools
    • Favorites
    • Saved Searches
  • Manage Rentals
  • Apartments For Rent
  • Houses For Rent
  • Condos For Rent
  • Townhomes For Rent
  • Help Center
  • Area Guide
  • Rent Calculator
  • Property Management Companies
English

Language

English Español
Apartments.com Logo
Manage Rentals      Sign Up / Sign In
Add a Property

Rental Market Trends in San Luis Obispo, CA

Updated September 2026

The average rent in San Luis Obispo, CA is $1,930/month.

Rent in San Luis Obispo is 16% higher than the national average rent of $1,664/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.

$1,930/month

Average Rent

601 Sq Ft

Average Size

+2%

Change / Year

155

Available Apartments

San Luis Obispo rent varies by unit size and layout:

  • Studio apartments in San Luis Obispo average $2,274 per month.
  • One-bedroom apartments in San Luis Obispo average $1,930 per month.
  • Two-bedroom apartments in San Luis Obispo average $2,563 per month.
  • Three-bedroom apartments in San Luis Obispo average $3,370 or more per month.

Average Rent by Home Type

Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$2,274/month
491 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,930/month
601 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,563/month
871 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,370/month
1,187 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,958/month
777 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,874/month
961 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$4,733/month
1,477 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,027/month
876 Sq Ft
View San Luis Obispo Apartments

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

In the past year, rent has increased by 2%, which averages out to $38 more per month.

Market Trends Over Time

September 2026

2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time

Rent Ranges in San Luis Obispo, CA

September 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in San Luis Obispo, CA
Percentage*
Rent Range
0% Below $700/month
0% $700 - $1,000/month
22% $1,001 - $1,500/month
22% $1,501 - $2,000/month
56% Above $2,000/month

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

Because the average rent in San Luis Obispo is $1,930, you’ll want to make about $6,433 per month or $77,196 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

155 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

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.

View the San Luis Obispo Area Guide

Apartment Averages

Compare Rent Trends Nearby

Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.

  • Avila Beach

    Avila Beach

    Avg Rent: $967/month

  • Grover Beach

    Grover Beach

    Avg Rent: $1,656/month

  • Arroyo Grande

    Arroyo Grande

    Avg Rent: $1,437/month

  • Atascadero

    Atascadero

    Avg Rent: $2,079/month

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

1 Bed | $599 - $899

Avila Senior Living At Downtown SLO

Avila Senior Living At Downtown SLO

475-497 Marsh St,
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Studio - 1 Bed | Call for Rent

Peach Street

Peach Street

660 Peach St,
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

2 Beds | $2,800

Artisan Apartments

Artisan Apartments

564 Higuera St,
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Studio - 1 Bed | $1,099 - $3,720

Rental Management, Simplified

Our all-in-one suite of property manangement software makes the rental process easy. Screen tenants, manage payments, and more – all on Apartments.com

Manage Your Rentals

Guides for Managing Your Rental

How Long Does It Take to Process Rental Applications? A Landlord's Timeline

Speed up approvals by fixing common application delays.

How to Know If You're Ready to Buy Your First Rental

Get ready to buy your first rental with a clear plan.

How to Calculate ROI on a Rental Property in 5 Steps

Compare rental deals quickly with ROI made simple.

How to Advertise a Rental Property

Cut vacancy time by attracting the right renters.

Explore Rental Manager Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in San Luis Obispo?

The average rent in San Luis Obispo is $1,930 per month, which is 16.0% higher than the national average of $1,664.

What is the average rent for a house in San Luis Obispo?

The average rent for a house in San Luis Obispo, CA is $3,874 per month.

What is the average rent for a townhome in San Luis Obispo?

The average rent for a townhome in San Luis Obispo, CA is $3,027 per month.

Are rents going up or down in San Luis Obispo?

Rents in San Luis Obispo, CA are increasing, with prices up 2.0% year-over-year and $38 more per month.

What rent range is most common in San Luis Obispo?

In San Luis Obispo, CA, 56% of apartments fall above $2,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.

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 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Notice
  • Avoid Scams
  • Accessibility
  • Blog
  • Sitemap
apartments.com
© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity

Equal Housing Opportunity

© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc.

Equal Housing Opportunity