Avila Apartments in Downtown SLO
475-497 Marsh St,
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Studio - 1 Bed | $1,200 - $2,200
Rental Market Trends in San Luis Obispo, CA
Updated July 2026
The average rent in San Luis Obispo, CA is $1,951/month.
Rent in San Luis Obispo is 17% higher than the national average rent of $1,662/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.
$1,951/month
Average Rent
597 Sq Ft
Average Size
+2.6%
Change / Year
192
Available Apartments
San Luis Obispo rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in San Luis Obispo average $2,150 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in San Luis Obispo average $1,951 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in San Luis Obispo average $2,594 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in San Luis Obispo average $3,385 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in San Luis Obispo, CA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 2.6%, which averages out to $52 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
July 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in San Luis Obispo, CA
July 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
0%
Below $700/month
0%
$700 - $1,000/month
20%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
25%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
55%
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 $1,951, you’ll want to make about $6,503 per month or $78,036 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.
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 GuideCompare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
Apartment Communities in San Luis Obispo We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in San Luis Obispo?
The average rent in San Luis Obispo is $1,951 per month, which is 17.4% higher than the national average of $1,662.
What is the average rent for a house in San Luis Obispo?
The average rent for a house in San Luis Obispo, CA is $3,858 per month.
Are rents going up or down in San Luis Obispo?
Rents in San Luis Obispo, CA are increasing, with prices up 2.6% year-over-year and $52 more per month.
What rent range is most common in San Luis Obispo?
In San Luis Obispo, CA, 55% of apartments fall above $2,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
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 June 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.