San Luis Obispo, CA
Demographics And Statistics

We take you around San Luis Obispo to find out what it's like to call it home.

Living in San Luis Obispo, California

Life in San Luis Obispo research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in San Luis Obispo over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Here's a snapshot of San Luis Obispo based on the most recently available data.

48,491 Population
$1,102,562 Median home value
$73,685 Median income
175 Cost of living +75% vs US
$1,965 Median rent
7.0% Unemployment
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San Luis Obispo SnackAbility

8
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs 7/10
Housing 9.5/10
Affordability 2/10
Diversity 8.5/10
Safety 4/10
Amenities 9.5/10
Education 9/10
Commute 9.5/10

Crime in San Luis Obispo summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in San Luis Obispo. Key points include:

  • There were 1,545 total crimes in San Luis Obispo in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in San Luis Obispo is 3,093.2 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in San Luis Obispo is 424.4 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in San Luis Obispo is 2,668.8 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in San Luis Obispo is 45.96% above the national average.

1,545
Total Crimes
45.96%
Above National Average
San Luis Obispo
US

Crime In San Luis Obispo Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
San Luis Obispo
/ 100k People
California
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 1,545 3,093.2 2,564.5 2,119.2
Violent Crime 212 424.4 486.0 359.0
Murder 0 0.0 4.5 5.0
Robbery 41 82.1 119.1 61.0
Aggravated Assault 141 282.3 325.8 256.0
Property Crime 1,333 2,668.8 2,078.4 1,760.0
Burglary 161 322.3 305.8 229.0
Larceny 1,097 2,196.3 1,345.2 1,272.0
Car Theft 75 150.2 427.5 259.0
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Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024)

Cost of living in San Luis Obispo summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in San Luis Obispo. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around California. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in San Luis Obispo is 175 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in San Luis Obispo is 1.8x higher than the national average.

  • The median home value in San Luis Obispo is $1,102,562.

  • The median income in San Luis Obispo is $73,685.

175
San Luis Obispo's Overall Cost Of Living
1.8x
Higher Than The National Average
San Luis Obispo
US

Cost Of Living In San Luis Obispo Comparison Table

Living Expense San Luis Obispo California National Average
Overall 175 142 100
Services 109 110 100
Groceries 112 118 100
Health 311 197 100
Housing 119 120 100
Transportation 113 121 100
Utilities 126 121 100
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Source: Cost of living index, normalized to US average = 100

San Luis Obispo, CA Weather

  • The average high in San Luis Obispo is 70.3° and the average low is 46.2°.

  • There are 31.0 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 18.2 inches of precipitation each year with 0.0 inches of snow.

StatSan Luis Obispo
Average Annual High70.3
Average Annual Low46.2
Annual Precipitation Days31.0
Average Annual Precipitation18.2
Average Annual Snowfall0.0
70.3°
Average High
31.0
Days of Rain

Source: NOAA climate normals (30-year)

San Luis Obispo, CA Photos

Sanluisobispo
Source: Wikipedia User User:Basar | GFDL
San Luis Obispoc Ca  Highway  Flickr  Motoclubag
Source: Wikipedia User Motohide Miwa from USA | CC BY 2.0
San Luis Ambulance Service
Source: Wikipedia User Tracey Adams from Atascad | CC BY 2.0
Sunset Marina
Source: Wikipedia User Mr. Brendel | GFDL
Dallidet Adobe Chl
Source: Wikipedia User Konrad Summers from Santa | CC BY-SA 2.0
San Luis Obispoc
Source: Public Domain
Slo Calpoly
Source: Wikipedia User Gregg M Erickson | CC BY 3.0
San Luis Obispo In Fall And Spring
Source: Wikipedia User No machine-readable autho | GFDL
Cal Poly Performing Arts Center
Source: Public Domain

Rankings & Articles For San Luis Obispo

Locations Around San Luis Obispo

Map Of San Luis Obispo, CA

Best Places Around San Luis Obispo

1

Nipomo, CA
Population 17,516

$942,688-15% vs San Luis Obispo
2

Grover Beach, CA
Population 12,604

$777,110-30% vs San Luis Obispo
3

Los Osos, CA
Population 14,166

$866,884-21% vs San Luis Obispo
4

Atascadero, CA
Population 29,712

$784,480-29% vs San Luis Obispo
5

Arroyo Grande, CA
Population 18,372

$1,044,035-5% vs San Luis Obispo
6

Oceano, CA
Population 7,128

$675,262-39% vs San Luis Obispo
7

Morro Bay, CA
Population 10,692

$955,622-13% vs San Luis Obispo
8

Pismo Beach, CA
Population 8,014

$1,123,130+2% vs San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in San Luis Obispo

The current population in San Luis Obispo is 48,491. The population has increased 7.9% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2024 48,491 0.9%
2023 48,039 1.1%
2022 47,529 0.6%
2021 47,257 -0.3%
2020 47,402 0.2%
2019 47,302 0.3%
2018 47,160 0.3%
2017 46,997 0.6%
2016 46,716 0.8%
2015 46,337 0.9%
2014 45,911 0.7%
2013 45,584 0.6%
2012 45,328 0.4%
2011 45,130 0.4%
2010 44,959 -

Race / Ethnicity in San Luis Obispo

White 69.1% (33,516)
African American 1.2% (576)
American Indian 0.1% (63)
Asian 5.3% (2,559)
Hawaiian 0.1% (52)
Other 0.5% (235)
Two Or More 5.3% (2,561)
Hispanic 18.4% (8,929)
See the full breakdown

San Luis Obispo is:

  • 69.1% White with 33,516 White residents.

  • 1.2% African American with 576 African American residents.

  • 0.1% American Indian with 63 American Indian residents.

  • 5.3% Asian with 2,559 Asian residents.

  • 0.1% Hawaiian with 52 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.5% Other with 235 Other residents.

  • 5.3% Two Or More with 2,561 Two Or More residents.

  • 18.4% Hispanic with 8,929 Hispanic residents.

Race San Luis Obispo CA USA
White 69.1% 33.8% 57.4%
African American 1.2% 5.2% 11.9%
American Indian 0.1% 0.3% 0.5%
Asian 5.3% 15.3% 5.9%
Hawaiian 0.1% 0.3% 0.2%
Other 0.5% 0.6% 0.6%
Two Or More 5.3% 4.4% 4.3%
Hispanic 18.4% 40.2% 19.3%

Gender in San Luis Obispo

Female 51.3% (24,889)
Male 48.7% (23,602)
See the full breakdown
  • San Luis Obispo is 51.3% female with 24,889 female residents.

  • San Luis Obispo is 48.7% male with 23,602 male residents.

Gender San Luis Obispo CA USA
Female 51.3% 50.1% 50.5%
Male 48.7% 49.9% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in San Luis Obispo for adults over 25

< 9th Grade 0.0% (0)
9-12th Grade 2.0% (969)
High School / GED 13.0% (6,303)
Some College 21.0% (10,183)
Associate's Degree 9.0% (4,364)
Bachelor's Degree 30.0% (14,547)
Master's Degree 15.0% (7,273)
Professional Degree 5.0% (2,424)
Doctorate Degree 5.0% (2,424)
See the full breakdown
  • 0.0% of adults in San Luis Obispo completed < 9th grade.

  • 2.0% of adults in San Luis Obispo completed 9-12th grade.

  • 13.0% of adults in San Luis Obispo completed high school / ged.

  • 21.0% of adults in San Luis Obispo completed some college.

  • 9.0% of adults in San Luis Obispo completed associate's degree.

  • 30.0% of adults in San Luis Obispo completed bachelor's degree.

  • 15.0% of adults in San Luis Obispo completed master's degree.

  • 5.0% of adults in San Luis Obispo completed professional degree.

  • 5.0% of adults in San Luis Obispo completed doctorate degree.

Education San Luis Obispo CA USA
< 9th Grade 0.0% 8.0% 4.0%
9-12th Grade 2.0% 7.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 13.0% 20.0% 26.0%
Some College 21.0% 19.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 9.0% 8.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 30.0% 23.0% 22.0%
Master's Degree 15.0% 10.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 5.0% 3.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 5.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For San Luis Obispo, California

Less than $10,000 8.6% (417,751)
$10,000 to $14,999 4.4% (215,399)
$15,000 to $24,999 8.9% (432,222)
$25,000 to $34,999 6.6% (321,676)
$35,000 to $49,999 10.1% (488,207)
$50,000 to $74,999 11.8% (573,370)
$75,000 to $99,999 8.4% (407,788)
$100,000 to $149,999 16.8% (813,441)
$150,000 to $199,999 7.8% (380,507)
$200,000 or more 16.5% (798,733)
See the full breakdown
  • 8.6% of households in San Luis Obispo earn Less than $10,000.

  • 4.4% of households in San Luis Obispo earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 8.9% of households in San Luis Obispo earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 6.6% of households in San Luis Obispo earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 10.1% of households in San Luis Obispo earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 11.8% of households in San Luis Obispo earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 8.4% of households in San Luis Obispo earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 16.8% of households in San Luis Obispo earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 7.8% of households in San Luis Obispo earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 16.5% of households in San Luis Obispo earn $200,000 or more.

Income San Luis Obispo CA USA
Less than $10,000 8.6% 4.5% 5.0%
$10,000 to $14,999 4.4% 2.9% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 8.9% 5.0% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 6.6% 5.3% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 10.1% 8.1% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 11.8% 13.0% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 8.4% 11.6% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 16.8% 17.8% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 7.8% 11.3% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 16.5% 20.5% 13.4%

Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (2024)