City Guide
San Luis Obispo, CA
Overview
San Luis Obispo, CA is recognized for its lively downtown, historic Spanish mission, museums and art galleries, and wine and craft beer tasting rooms. There are around 48,000 residents, so moving to San Luis Obispo will provide a welcoming and small-town feel. One fun fact about San Luis Obispo is that it was first called “Tiger Town” due to its lawless nature. Another fun piece of information about the city is that the concepet of the "motel" was invented here in the early 1900s.
What’s it like to live in San Luis Obispo, CA ?
If you're looking to buy a home for sale in San Luis Obispo, CA you'll find that the median sale price is
$975,000
and homes stay on the market for 19 days. You'll find that the median sale prices of
a single family home and a condo/co-op in San Luis Obispo are $1,087,500
and $769,000
, respectively. San Luis Obispo area townhouses have a median sale price of $849,250
, making them less expensive
than single family homes. If you’re not ready to buy a home, consider one of the many apartments for rent in San Luis Obispo, CAExplore our San Luis Obispo housing market page for insights about how home values have changed over
the years and how San Luis Obispo home prices compare to other markets. Explore our San Luis Obispo rental market trends page for insights about how rental prices have changed and how San Luis Obispo rental prices compare to other rental markets. If you're curious about the most valuable home features in San Luis Obispo, or looking for a new home improvement project,
discover what home features and design trends may help increase your home's value.
Popular neighborhoods in and around San Luis Obispo
| Neighborhood | Median Sale Price | Compete Score | Walk Score | Real Estate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orcutt | $1,307,500 | 81 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Avila Ranch | $1,002,500 | -- | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Downtown Slo | $1,350,000 | 49 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Japantown | $675,000 | -- | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Madonna | $749,000 | 71 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
Popular homes for sale in San Luis Obispo
See all homes for sale
Rental listings in San Luis Obispo
See how much rent you can affordSee all rental listings
San Luis Obispo Migration & Relocation Trends
In Jan '25 - Mar '25, 39% of San Luis Obispo homebuyers searched to move out of San Luis Obispo, while 61% looked to stay within the metropolitan area.
- Across the nation, 0.33% of homebuyers searched to move into San Luis Obispo from outside metros.
- Los Angeles homebuyers searched to move into San Luis Obispo more than any other metro followed by San Francisco and Santa Barbara.
Where are people moving to San Luis Obispo from?
- 61% of San Luis Obispo homebuyers searched to stay within the San Luis Obispo metropolitan area.
- Hilo was the most popular destination among San Luis Obispo homebuyers followed by Portland and Boise.
Where are people from San Luis Obispo moving to?
Number of People Moving to San Luis Obispo
least
most
People are moving to San Luis Obispo from
| Inbound | Net inflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Jan '25 - Mar '25 | ||
| 1 | 1,486 | ||
| 2 | 886 | ||
| 3 | 141 | ||
| 4 | 113 | ||
| 5 | 76 | ||
| 6 | 65 | ||
| 7 | 62 | ||
| 8 | 45 | ||
| 9 | 37 | ||
| 10 | 33 | ||
People are leaving San Luis Obispo for
| Outbound | Net outflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Jan '25 - Mar '25 | ||
| 1 | 29 | ||
| 2 | 18 | ||
| 3 | 13 | ||
| 4 | 12 | ||
| 5 | 8 | ||
| 6 | 8 | ||
| 7 | 7 | ||
| 8 | 7 | ||
| 9 | 7 | ||
| 10 | 7 | ||
Methodology
This data does not reflect actual moves. The latest migration analysis is based on a sample of about two
million Redfin.com users who searched for homes across more than 100 metro areas. To be included in this dataset, a Redfin.com user
must have viewed at least 10 homes in a three month period. This dataset excludes all rentals data.
What is there to do in San Luis Obispo, CA ?
Some of the most popular things to do in San Luis Obispo, CA, range from checking out local parks, dining at some of the best restaurants in town, and enjoying local art. Home to numerous museums, make sure to check out San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, San Luis Obispo Children's Museum, and San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum. There's a unique art and culture scene, with performing arts venues like Performing Arts Center and San Luis Obispo Little Theatre. The city is also known for its parks and green spaces like Laguna Lake Park, Cuesta Canyon County Park, Sinsheimer Park, just to name a few. You'll find plenty of restaurants and up-and-coming eateries throughout the city. Make sure you grab a bite to eat at Tsurugi Japanese Restaurant, Novo Restaurant & Lounge, and Louisa's Place Restaurant for a small taste of what this city has to offer.
Explore some of the best things to do in San Luis Obispo
What's the best way to get around San Luis Obispo, CA ?
The best way to get around San Luis Obispo is by car, but there are many methods for getting around the city. If you’re exploring the city by foot, San Luis Obispo has a walk score of 56, meaning this area is somewhat walkable. Another way to get around the city is by public transportation. San Luis Obispo has a transit score of 28, with a few nearby public transportation options. Most bus stations and rail stations are located in 93401. You can also get around San Luis Obispo by bike. With a bike score of 69, there is some amount of infrastructure for biking.
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
Some Transit
Transit Score®
Bikeable
Bike Score®
San Luis Obispo Transportation
Bus Station
Buses can be found throughout the city and are easily accessible to commute in the city.
Rail Station
San Luis Obispo has 2 heavy rail stations; San Luis Obispo Station, Amtrak. This allows you to use heavy rail to commute in and out of the city from the surrounding area and even travel to other cities.
Tram Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Metro Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Car & Bike Rentals
Renting a car is another good way to get around the city. There are 14 car rental locations.
Airports
San Luis Obispo has 2 airports which allows you to easily travel.
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