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San Luis Obispo, California Retirement Guide
established retirement community
44
Retirement Score
San Luis Obispo, California at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $841,700
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension and retirement income generally taxable.
- Avg January Low
- 40°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 112.6 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 44 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
112.6 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$841,700High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension and retirement income generally taxable.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
49.5 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
73.1 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
49.5 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July High
77°FMedium confidence
NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020 · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
40°FMedium confidence
NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020 · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
22"Medium confidence
NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020 · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
275 daysMedium confidence
NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020 · Updated March 2026
Safety
Safety Score
100 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
72.2 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
4.3 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
47,529High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
25.2High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
13.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$65,000High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
38.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
3.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
52.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
31.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
79.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
1.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
17.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
5.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in San Luis Obispo using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$1,824
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$2,048
Median home price used: $841,700
Median rent reference: $1,850 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.