San Luis Obispo, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: November 18, 2025 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in San Luis Obispo is $2,864, a 2.91% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,950.
Studio Apartments at $1,965 offer the most budget-friendly option with 405 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 632 square feet for $2,211, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $2,809 offer 942 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,100 sq ft) for $3,796, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in San Luis Obispo, CA
Last updated: November 18, 2025
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,864 | 793 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,965 | 405 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,211 | 632 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $2,809 | 942 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,796 | 1,100 sq. ft. |
San Luis Obispo, CA rent trends
Rental prices in San Luis Obispo, CA have decreased by 2.91% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,950 to $2,864.
What's the typical rent budget in San Luis Obispo, CA?
The largest share of rentals in San Luis Obispo, CA (28%) fall between $1,501-$2,000 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in San Luis Obispo, CA?
12,212 or 61% of the households in San Luis Obispo, CA are renter-occupied while 7,793 or 39% are owner-occupied.
How San Luis Obispo Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo | $2,864 |
| Los Angeles | $2,765 |
| East Bay | $2,670 |
| San Francisco | $3,598 |
| San Diego | $2,968 |
| Oakland | $2,635 |
| Long Beach | $2,670 |
| Sacramento | $1,906 |
| San Jose | $3,134 |
| Fresno | $1,622 |
| Tulare | $1,693 |
| Santa Barbara, CA | $2,900 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $2,318 |
| Goleta, CA | $3,498 |
| Paso Robles, CA | $2,402 |
| Lompoc, CA | $2,074 |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | $1,981 |
| Atascadero, CA | $2,212 |
| Lemoore, CA | $1,520 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all San Luis Obispo apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.