Tap here to try the Rental Assistant! ×
Save This Search

Apartments for Rent in San Luis Obispo, CA

55 Rentals Available
  • 5
    Today

    845 MADONNA RD, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93405
    STUDIO $2,255+
    1 BED $2,455+
  • 43
    Today

    2200 Emily Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
    STUDIO $2,058
    2 BEDS $3,201
    3 BEDS $4,015
  • 40
    Today

    2240 Emily Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
    1 BED Ask for Pricing
    2 BEDS Ask for Pricing
    3 BEDS Ask for Pricing
  • 20
    Today

    3110 Duncan Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
    STUDIO $2,251+
    1 BED $2,528
    2 BEDS $3,389
  • Today

    1475 Balboa Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
    5 BEDS $5,500
  • Renting has its Rewards
    Start earning points to redeem on travel, experiences, gift cards, live events, and more!
    Earn points for:
    Internet and Entertainment
    Utilities
    Insurance
    Learn more
  • Today

    2325 Ganador Court, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
    1 BED $1,300
  • Today

    140 Quail Way, Avila Beach, CA 93424
    2 BEDS $3,600
  • Today

    2655 Shell Beach Rd., Pismo Beach, CA 93449
    Income Restricted
    STUDIO $1,523
    1 BED $1,194
  • Today

    1309 Costa Brava, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
    3 BEDS $5,495
  • Today

    1264 Vista Del Osos, Baywood-Los Osos, CA 93402
    3 BEDS $4,200
  • 14
    Today

    950 S 14Th St, Grover Beach, CA 93433
    1 BED $2,095
    2 BEDS $2,795
  • Need to find a home fast? Take a quiz and let us find a home that fits your needs
  • 56
    Today

    271 & 291 S. Halcyon Road, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
    1 BED $2,045
    2 BEDS $2,495
  • 13
    Today

    11205 Bilbao Court, Atascadero, CA 93422
    2 BEDS $2,795+
    3 BEDS $3,195+
6-7-city
Nice work, you've checked out every rental here! Expand your search to find your happy place.

Save Search
Popular searches Average rent Renters guide Demographics

Average rent in San Luis Obispo, CA

$2,951/mo San Luis Obispo, CA average rental price, June 2025
Image Average Rent

The average monthly rent of apartments in San Luis Obispo, CA is $2,951.

    San Luis Obispo, CA apartment rent ranges

    About 14% of apartment rents in San Luis Obispo, CA range between $2,001-$2,500. Meanwhile, apartments around $2,501-$3,000 represent 17% of apartments. Around 29% of San Luis Obispo’s apartments are in the $1,501-$2,000 price range. 1% of apartments are priced between $1,001-$1,500. A share of 39% of apartment rentals in San Luis Obispo are in the > $3,000 range.

    San Luis Obispo, CA rent trends

    Check out the average rent prices in San Luis Obispo by neighborhood.

    Compared to the national average rent of $1,749, the average rent in San Luis Obispo, CA is $2,951.

    Getting around in San Luis Obispo, CA

    20 /100
    Car-Dependent
    51 /100
    Bikeable
    Walk Score®: 20, Bike Score®: 51

    Frequently asked questions

    What are the best apartments in San Luis Obispo, CA?

    The best apartments in San Luis Obispo, CA are: Harvest Lofts, Roundhouse Place, VILLAGE AT BROAD STREET, Connect and 1475 Balboa Street.

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

    The average rent in San Luis Obispo, CA is $2,949.

    What is the price range for a studio apartment in San Luis Obispo, CA?

    The price range for a studio apartment in San Luis Obispo, CA is between $2,255 and $2,395.

    What is the price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Luis Obispo, CA?

    The price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Luis Obispo, CA is between $1,300 and $2,710.

    What type of rental buildings are in San Luis Obispo, CA?

    In San Luis Obispo 61% of the housing is rented out compared to 39% of homes are owned, according to the most recent Census Bureau estimates. 6% of San Luis Obispo’s apartments are found in large buildings of 50 units or more, 65% are located in smaller apartment complexes with less than 50 units, and 28% are single-family rentals.

    What do typical apartment communities look like in San Luis Obispo, CA?

    The average age of rental buildings in San Luis Obispo is 42 years old, with 24% being newer apartment buildings completed since 2000. The average height of apartment buildings in the city is 3 stories, of which 97% are garden-style apartment communities, 3% are mid-sized buildings, and none are high-rises. These characteristics describe large-scale apartment communities of 50 apartments or more.

    What apartment floorplans are common in San Luis Obispo, CA?

    Rental apartments in San Luis Obispo come in a range of sizes and floorplans. Studio apartments represent 21% of units for rent, ideal for singles, renters on a budget and people who value central locations more than space. Rentals with 1-bedroom floorplans make up 25% of the total apartments in the city, while 2-bedroom floorplans represent around 33% of all rentals in San Luis Obispo. The rest are larger floorplans with 3 bedrooms or more, typically preferred by families, larger households or roommates sharing space.

    San Luis Obispo, CA in the news

    Living in San Luis Obispo, CA

    San Luis Obispo is a coastal city that’s about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles in California. As part of San Luis Obispo County in the central part of the state, this small town has a rich history known for beautiful Spanish-style architecture and wineries. It’s also home to the California Polytechnic State University. Renters who live around San Luis Obispo love spending time outdoors: Being close to Cuesta Canyon Park and Santa Rosa Park makes it easy to go hiking. Plus, the proximity to the coastline of the Pacific is very attractive to people who rent homes in the area and want to go to Avila Beach. Overlooking the town is the Santa Lucia Mountains, making the entire area of San Luis Obispo lush and gorgeous. Great public schools and the restaurant scene are two other major reasons for young professionals and renting families to live in this fun area of California.

    Renting in San Luis Obispo, CA

    As a densely suburban area with lots of amenities, San Luis Obispo renters can feel at home in this lively community. More people rent than own their homes in this part of California, making renter households very common. That’s great news for people looking to find an apartment for rent in San Luis Obispo because there are plenty of rental options to choose from. Most of the rental apartments in San Luis Obispo offer amenities like pools, clubhouses, tennis courts, and walking trails for pet owners to explore. Condos and townhome apartments are also popular rental choices in the area for young professionals and families who want their children to go to one of the highly rated school schools in the area.

    Things for renting

    Shopping in San Luis Obispo, CA

    There are plenty of shopping malls and stores around rental apartments in San Luis Obispo all along Highway 101. That includes the SLO Promenade, the Madonna Plaza Shopping Center, and Mission Mall that’s located in the downtown area. It has specialty shops and is considered part of the town’s restaurant district, where local renters go for a great meal. The Network Shopping Center is another fun place for local renters to shop that has smaller artisan stores and a smoothie shop. For grocery shopping, renters have access to chains like Vons, Ralphs, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe’s, and a Whole Foods Market with organic items. For renters who want to shop at big box stores, there is a Target located in Prefumo Creek Commons that is located near many rental apartments in San Luis Obispo.

    Transportation in San Luis Obispo, CA

    People renting in San Luis Obispo have access to a public transit system that runs throughout the town. The main bus system is called the SLO Transit bus line with stops to popular places for goods and services. Amtrak has a station in San Luis Obispo, connecting local renters with many locations in California. Bike lanes are present all over the city, and renters are encouraged to use ridesharing and cycling whenever possible. For air travel, San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport operates flights to popular destinations in the U.S. including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Las Vegas. Other airports in the area include Fresno Yosemite International Airport, located some 150 miles away, and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, which is about three hours away by car.

    Look for apartments near me

    Are you looking to land that one apartment near you that ticks all the boxes? Now you can browse through available RentCafe apartment listings in your area, rated and reviewed by verified residents. Comparing the size, price, amenities and location of apartments for rent near you is easier than ever. Do you feel like expanding the search beyond your neighborhood and ZIP code? Browse apartments for rent in your city and state to find the best fit, wherever you are in the U.S. Somewhere out there is the perfect apartment just waiting for you.

    Whether you're looking for a studio, an apartment with one or more bedrooms, or maybe you're upgrading to a luxury apartment or need to acommodate a pet, RentCafe allows you to easily search for a rental near you based on your criteria, anywhere in the U.S. So, let's find your new home today!

    RentCafe is your one-stop shop for finding a great new apartment in San Luis Obispo, CA. Easily search through a wide selection of apartments for rent in San Luis Obispo, CA, and view detailed information about available rentals including floor plans, pricing, photos, amenities, interactive maps, and thorough property descriptions. Property owners and managers are one click away, so feel free to contact them and find out all you need to know about the apartment you’re interested in. Browse San Luis Obispo, CA apartments with rents starting from $1,194 and submit your rental application today!

    Finding a home nearby is easier than you think. Check out our Apartments Near Me page and take your pick!