Cost of Living in San Luis Obispo, CA
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Price level
108.6
U.S. average = 100 · #17 of 387
Median wage
$50,770
all jobs · $3,435/mo take-home
1-bedroom rent
$1,914
HUD fair market rent
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in San Luis Obispo, CA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Salary needed to keep your lifestyle
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Prices in San Luis Obispo, CA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 108.6 | +8.6% |
| Housing | 144.4 | +44.4% |
| Goods | 105.2 | +5.2% |
| Utilities | 147.8 | +47.8% |
| Other services | 100.3 | +0.3% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in San Luis Obispo, CA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,732 | $69,280/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,914 | $76,560/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,512 | $100,480/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,370 | $134,800/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,861 | $154,440/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in San Luis Obispo, CA
Your take-home pay
$41,218
per year · effective tax rate 18.8%
$3,435Monthly
$1,717Twice a month
$1,585Every 2 weeks
$19.82Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,912
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,148
- Medicare (1.45%)$736
- California income tax$1,096
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$660
- Take-home pay$41,218
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in San Luis Obispo, CA
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is San Luis Obispo, CA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area are 108.6% of the U.S. average, with housing at 144.4%. It is the #17 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in San Luis Obispo, CA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $65,158 in San Luis Obispo, CA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $50,770.
How much is rent in San Luis Obispo, CA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for San Luis Obispo, CA are $1,732 for a studio, $1,914 for one bedroom, $2,512 for two bedrooms and $3,370 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in San Luis Obispo, CA
Management Occupations
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $126,700
- Sales Manager — $102,250
- General and Operations Manager — $101,840
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Project Management Specialist — $108,730
- Accountant and Auditor — $88,160
- Management Analyst — $84,290
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $79,130
- Human Resources Specialist — $78,020
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $66,660
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $135,020
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Civil Engineer — $110,210
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $97,620
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $58,620
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other — $49,450
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $46,410
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $138,820
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $79,940
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Dental Assistant — $57,150
- Medical Assistant — $49,520
- Nursing Assistant — $46,840
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,320
Protective Service Occupations
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $107,220
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $101,860
- Security Guard — $42,980
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $48,320
- Cooks, Restaurant — $43,220
- Cooks, Fast Food — $42,390
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $42,350
- Food Preparation Worker — $38,550
- Dishwasher — $36,760
- Bartender — $35,630
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $35,380
- Waiter and Waitress — $34,950
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $34,730
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $45,500
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $42,990
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $37,190
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $35,810
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $75,810
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $66,770
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $52,310
- Demonstrator and Product Promoter — $44,130
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $43,880
- Retail Salesperson — $37,780
- Cashier — $36,550
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $77,500
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $58,570
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $54,740
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $51,010
- Customer Service Representative — $46,740
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $46,610
- Office Clerks, General — $46,110
- Receptionist and Information Clerk — $44,890
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks — $37,460
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $94,560
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $79,340
- Carpenter — $77,220
- Electrician — $76,540
- Construction Laborer — $60,140
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $90,000
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $61,620
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $49,400
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $60,380
- Stocker and Order Filler — $39,280
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $38,730