Housing
Home prices and rent in San Luis Obispo
Median home values, rents and incomes from the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with California and the U.S.
Census geography: San Luis Obispo city, California. These survey estimates are not current listing prices.
San Luis Obispo vs. California and the U.S.
| San Luis Obispo | California | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $935,100 | $734,700 | $332,700 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $1,965 | $2,036 | $1,413 |
| Median household income | $73,685 | $99,122 | $80,734 |
| Homes owned by occupants | 40% | 56% | 65% |
| Median year built | 1977 | 1976 | 1980 |
Ten years of change
| 2014 | 2019 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $519,200 | $643,200 | $935,100 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $1,275 | $1,575 | $1,965 |
| Median household income | $44,894 | $56,071 | $73,685 |
Fair Market Rents (HUD, fiscal year 2027)
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA MSA · San Luis Obispo County. HUD's payment benchmarks for housing programs: typical gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a recent mover, not a listing or an asking rent.
Large figures are the metro-area Fair Market Rent.
Income limits (HUD, fiscal year 2026)
Area median family income: $129,600. Households at or under these incomes can qualify for many housing programs; check each program's own rules.
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low income (80%) | $85,700 | $97,950 | $110,200 | $122,400 | $132,200 | $142,000 | $151,800 | $161,600 |
| Very low income (50%) | $53,500 | $61,150 | $68,800 | $76,450 | $82,550 | $88,700 | $94,800 | $100,900 |
| Extremely low income (30%) | $32,100 | $36,700 | $41,300 | $45,850 | $49,550 | $53,200 | $56,900 | $60,550 |
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents and Income Limits, checked October 9, 2026.
Questions
What is the median home value in San Luis Obispo?
$935,100, according to the Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey (5-year estimates), compared with $734,700 in California and $332,700 nationally.
How much is rent in San Luis Obispo?
Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,965 a month, versus $2,036 statewide.
How much have home values risen in San Luis Obispo?
The median home value went from $519,200 in 2014 to $935,100 in 2024 (+80%).
What is fair market rent in San Luis Obispo?
HUD's fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rent for the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA MSA is $1,894 for a studio, $2,079 for one bedroom and $2,720 for two bedrooms. These are HUD program benchmarks, not asking rents.
Are these current market prices?
No. They are survey medians from the Census Bureau, based on a five-year survey period, so they lag today’s listings. They are the most consistent way to compare places and track change over time.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2014, 2019, 2024), San Luis Obispo city, California. Values are estimates with margins of error.