CountyScore

San Luis Obispo County

California · CA

#37 in California
58.3
County Score

County Report Card

About San Luis Obispo County, California

San Luis Obispo Beats National Median

San Luis Obispo County scores 57.5 out of 100, surpassing the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the 63rd percentile nationally. The county ranks as a solid performer among U.S. regions.

Below State Average but Competitive

San Luis Obispo scores 57.5 against California's average of 61.3, placing it slightly below the state midpoint among 58 counties. The county remains a respectable performer within California's livability rankings.

Low Taxes, Strong Income Base

San Luis Obispo features a low effective tax rate of 0.705% with a Tax Score of 82.5, paired with a median household income of $93,398 and Income Score of 44.3. The county supports stable middle- and upper-middle-class households.

Housing Costs Outpace Median Income

With a Cost Score of 42.1, median home values at $777,200, and monthly rent at $1,899, San Luis Obispo presents significant affordability strain relative to its income profile. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable.

Suits Established Families Seeking Balance

San Luis Obispo works best for established households and professionals with accumulated wealth seeking coastal lifestyle and moderate tax burden. The county rewards those with financial resources to manage housing costs.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax82.5Cost42.1SafetyComing SoonHealth78.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome44.3Risk4.1WaterComing Soon
🏛82.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠42.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼44.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡4.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare San Luis Obispo County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Orange County
Florida
58.3
Median income: $77,011
Wayne County
New York
58.3
Median income: $73,914
Grayson County
Texas
58.3
Median income: $70,455
Randall County
Texas
58.3
Median income: $80,905
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Alaska
58.2
Median income: $90,625

Deep Dives

San Luis Obispo County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in San Luis Obispo County

via TaxByCounty

San Luis Obispo's rate is near national

San Luis Obispo's effective tax rate of 0.705% sits just below the national median of 0.714%, placing it squarely in the middle of the national distribution. The median property tax of $5,475 is 104% higher than the national median of $2,690, due to the county's $777,200 median home value.

San Luis Obispo slightly undercuts state

San Luis Obispo County's 0.705% effective rate is just below California's state average of 0.714%, making it one of the state's lower-tax counties by rate. The median tax of $5,475 exceeds the state median of $4,045, reflecting the region's higher home values.

San Luis Obispo is competitive regionally

San Luis Obispo's 0.705% rate is nearly identical to San Diego's 0.700% and lower than San Benito's 0.809%, though the county's higher median home value drives larger absolute tax bills. It sits in the middle of coastal California's property tax range.

Median SLO home costs $5,475 yearly

With San Luis Obispo's median home value of $777,200, homeowners pay approximately $5,475 in annual property taxes. Including mortgage-related assessments, the total can reach $5,901.

Review your property valuation

San Luis Obispo homeowners should verify that their assessments reflect current fair market value, as overvaluation affects both rural and urban properties. A free assessment appeal request could reduce your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in San Luis Obispo County

via CostByCounty

San Luis Obispo rents exceed national norms

San Luis Obispo County's 24.4% rent-to-income ratio surpasses the national baseline of 22.4% by 2 full percentage points, indicating elevated housing burden. Median household income of $93,398—25% above the national average of $74,755—provides some relief, though housing costs remain steep.

San Luis Obispo sits above California average

At 24.4%, San Luis Obispo's rent-to-income ratio exceeds California's state average of 22.4%, placing it among less affordable counties examined. The coastal county's appeal comes with affordability tradeoffs compared to inland alternatives.

San Luis Obispo commands coastal premium

San Luis Obispo's $1,899 median rent exceeds inland peers Sacramento ($1,702) and San Joaquin ($1,633) while remaining below San Diego ($2,154). Home values of $777,200 rival San Benito ($751,500) and approach San Diego ($791,600), reflecting strong coastal demand.

Housing takes nearly one-quarter of income

San Luis Obispo renters pay $1,899 monthly while homeowners face $2,048—a modest $149 gap suggesting balanced options for different buyers. At $93,398 median income, housing consumes 24.4% of earnings, leaving less than San Joaquin or Sacramento for other expenses.

San Luis Obispo: coastal living with tradeoffs

San Luis Obispo offers coastal charm and reasonable incomes, but at 24.4% affordability ratio, renters and homeowners face above-average housing burdens. Budget-conscious coastal seekers should compare San Luis Obispo ($1,899 rent) against inland alternatives offering 15-25% lower costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in San Luis Obispo County

via IncomeByCounty

San Luis Obispo earns 25% above nation

San Luis Obispo County's median household income of $93,398 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by nearly $19,000. The county's strong earnings reflect its appeal as both a tourist destination and a growing tech hub with Cal Poly influence.

Above California's average income

At $93,398, San Luis Obispo's median household income outpaces California's $87,001 state average. The county ranks in the upper-middle tier among California's 58 counties, driven by education, tourism, wine production, and increasingly by remote tech workers.

Solid performer among Central Coast

San Luis Obispo's $93,398 income exceeds San Joaquin County ($88,531) and Sacramento County ($88,724). The county ranks second in this survey only to San Francisco, San Benito, and San Diego, reflecting its desirable Central Coast location.

Housing costs consume significant share

San Luis Obispo's rent-to-income ratio of 24.4% is above the typical 20% threshold, with a median home value of $777,200. The county's desirability drives housing costs, requiring households to allocate more than typical to secure stable housing.

Invest in quality-of-life wealth building

San Luis Obispo's $93,398 median income and strong local economy create opportunities for thoughtful wealth building. Residents should combine retirement savings with investments in the county's appreciating real estate and local business growth tied to tourism and education sectors.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in San Luis Obispo County

via HealthByCounty

San Luis Obispo leads in longevity

San Luis Obispo residents live 80.7 years on average, exceeding the U.S. average of 80.2 years by more than half a year. Only 15.1% report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 15%, reflecting strong population wellness. The county ranks among America's healthiest.

Well above California's average

At 80.7 years, San Luis Obispo's life expectancy exceeds California's 78.5-year average by 2.2 years, placing it in the state's top tier. The 7.2% uninsured rate matches the state average exactly, indicating balanced coverage access. San Luis Obispo combines health equity with excellent health outcomes.

Regional health leader with balance

San Luis Obispo's 80.7-year life expectancy matches or exceeds all peers except San Francisco (82.4) and San Diego (80.3), positioning it as a health leader. The 7.2% uninsured rate is below Riverside (8.3%), San Bernardino (8.7%), and San Joaquin (7.6%), showing strong coverage breadth. San Luis Obispo achieves rural health excellence.

Strong providers and access support outcomes

San Luis Obispo offers 83 primary care providers and 733 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the best in this group. The 7.2% uninsured rate ensures most residents access preventive and behavioral health care. Strong provider networks and coverage work together to drive longevity.

Sustain San Luis Obispo's health legacy

San Luis Obispo's 7.2% uninsured rate is at the state average, but closing that final gap matters for the county's most vulnerable. If you're uninsured, visiting coveredca.com connects you to preventive care, mental health support, and chronic disease management. Keep the county moving toward universal coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in San Luis Obispo County

via RiskByCounty

San Luis Obispo faces elevated national disaster risk

San Luis Obispo County's composite risk score of 95.90 places it in the "Relatively High" category, above the typical U.S. county but among California's lower-risk areas. The score slightly exceeds California's average of 88.72.

Mid-tier risk among California's 58 counties

San Luis Obispo ranks in California's lower-middle range for overall disaster risk, benefiting from minimal tornado exposure (6.11) but facing substantial earthquake (97.90) and wildfire (98.31) threats. The Central Coast's geography offers some protection while maintaining seismic vulnerability.

Safer than Bay Area, riskier than inland valleys

San Luis Obispo (95.90) is less risky than San Francisco (99.52) and Riverside (99.90), but slightly exceeds San Benito (85.24). Its coastal location moderates some hazards while maintaining significant earthquake and wildfire exposure.

Wildfire and earthquake risks dominate

San Luis Obispo's wildfire risk (98.31) and earthquake risk (97.90) are nearly equally severe, with the county experiencing destructive fire seasons and remaining on major fault lines. Flood risk (96.66) rounds out the triple threat, though less acute than in some neighboring counties.

Wildfire and earthquake coverage strongly recommended

San Luis Obispo homeowners should prioritize wildfire and earthquake insurance riders—both hazards are extreme for the region. Verify flood coverage if you're near creeks or mapped flood zones, though earthquake and wildfire protection are the county's critical gaps.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.