Travel Nurse Housing in San Luis Obispo, California: Complete Guide
San Luis Obispo is a Central California coastal city with a Mediterranean climate, Cal Poly university, and a reputation as one of the happiest cities in America. Travel nurses find moderate demand and exceptional quality of life.
Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center and French Hospital Medical Center serve the area.
Whether you are heading to San Luis Obispo for your first travel nursing assignment or returning for another contract, this guide will help you navigate the housing market, understand what to expect from local costs, and find a neighborhood that fits your needs. San Luis Obispo has a lot to offer travel nurses, and a little planning goes a long way toward making your assignment a success.
Major Hospitals and Health Systems
San Luis Obispo is home to several major hospitals and health systems that consistently hire travel nurses across a wide range of specialties. Knowing which facilities are in the area helps you plan your housing search around commute times and gives you a sense of where demand is concentrated.
Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center — A full-service hospital with emergency, surgical, and specialty care.
French Hospital Medical Center — A community hospital known for cardiac care and comprehensive medical services.
Travel nurse demand in San Luis Obispo is generally moderate, with ED, med-surg, ICU, and telemetry being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during summer tourist season and Cal Poly academic year. If you are flexible on specialty or shift, you will have even more options to choose from in this market.
Best Neighborhoods for Travel Nurses
Choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important decisions you will make during your San Luis Obispo assignment. Where you live affects your commute, your safety, your access to amenities, and ultimately your quality of life for the duration of your contract. Here are the top neighborhoods that travel nurses should consider when searching for housing in San Luis Obispo.
Downtown SLO
The walkable downtown with Higuera Street shops, restaurants, and Thursday night farmers market.
Pros: Walkable, excellent dining, farmers market, vibrant nightlife
Cons: Higher rents, student noise, limited parking
San Luis Obispo South
Residential neighborhoods south of downtown with mountain views.
Pros: Quieter, mountain views, close to hospitals, residential
Cons: Car-dependent, higher rents, limited dining
Los Osos and Morro Bay
Coastal communities about 15 minutes west with ocean views.
Pros: Ocean views, cooler temperatures, coastal lifestyle, more space
Cons: Commute to hospitals, fog, limited nightlife, car-dependent
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent for most areas. Downtown is walkable. Coastal communities require a 15-20 minute drive. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in San Luis Obispo through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in San Luis Obispo are in line with the national average. Here is a general overview of what you can expect to pay for rental housing in the area. Keep in mind that prices vary by neighborhood, season, and the specific amenities included with the unit.
- Studio apartment: $1,200 to $1,800 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,500 to $2,300 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,800 to $2,800 per month
SLO’s housing market is tight and expensive. Cal Poly students compete for rentals. Consider Los Osos, Morro Bay, or Arroyo Grande for more affordable options.
Many travel nurses in San Luis Obispo find their housing through Furnished Finder , which connects healthcare travelers with landlords who specifically offer furnished, short-term rentals designed for assignment-length stays. It is one of the most widely used housing platforms in the travel nursing industry and an excellent starting point for your search. You can also explore local Facebook groups, Craigslist, and extended-stay hotels to compare your options and find the best fit for your budget and preferences.
GSA Stipend Rate
The General Services Administration publishes per diem rates that many travel nursing agencies use as a baseline for calculating housing and meals and incidentals stipends. The GSA rate for the San Luis Obispo, CA area varies by time of year, with higher rates typically applying during peak travel seasons and lower rates during off-peak months.
It is essential to check the current GSA per diem rate for your specific assignment dates and location, as rates are updated annually each October and can change significantly from year to year. You can look up the exact rate on the GSA website or ask your recruiter for the figures they are using to calculate your pay package. Keep in mind that your actual stipend may differ from the published GSA rate depending on your agency’s internal pay structure and policies.
Understanding how your stipend fits into your total compensation is key to evaluating any travel nursing contract. For help breaking down the numbers, use our pay calculator to compare packages side by side and see your estimated take-home pay after taxes, stipends, and deductions.
Housing Tips for San Luis Obispo
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to San Luis Obispo that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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One of the happiest cities in America — SLO consistently ranks among the happiest and healthiest cities.
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Central Coast wine country — Paso Robles wine country is just 30 minutes north.
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Thursday Night Farmers Market — Downtown SLO’s weekly farmers market and street fair is a community institution.
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Mild Mediterranean climate — Year-round pleasant weather with minimal extreme temperatures.
For a comprehensive overview of the housing search process from start to finish, including how to spot scams and negotiate lease terms, check out our complete travel nurse housing guide. It covers everything you need to know regardless of which city you are heading to.
Cost of Living Overview
San Luis Obispo’s cost of living is well above the national average, driven by California housing costs and the desirable location.
When budgeting for your San Luis Obispo assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Trader Joe’s, Costco, and local farmers markets offer grocery options. Dining out is excellent but pricey. Tracking your spending during the first two weeks of your assignment will give you a realistic picture of your monthly costs and help you adjust your budget accordingly.
Things to Do on Days Off
One of the greatest perks of travel nursing is the opportunity to explore a new city on your days off. San Luis Obispo has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Montana de Oro State Park — Stunning coastal hiking and tide pools just south of Los Osos.
- Hearst Castle — The famous hilltop estate in San Simeon, about 45 minutes north.
- Paso Robles Wine Country — Over 200 wineries just 30 minutes north of SLO.
- Pismo Beach — A classic California beach town about 15 minutes south with dunes and seafood.
Take full advantage of your time in San Luis Obispo. Exploring the local culture, trying restaurants you have never heard of, and visiting nearby attractions are what make travel nursing more than just a paycheck. Many travel nurses find that their days off are when they truly fall in love with a new city.
Final Thoughts
San Luis Obispo, California offers travel nurses a Central California gem with Mediterranean climate, coastal beauty, award-winning wine country, and a quality of life that consistently ranks among the best in America. With Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center and French Hospital Medical Center and a well above average cost of living, it is a market well worth considering whether you are a first-time traveler or a seasoned veteran looking for your next destination.
Start your housing search as early as possible, ideally four to six weeks before your assignment start date. The best furnished rentals tend to go quickly, especially in popular neighborhoods near major hospitals. Furnished Finder is an excellent resource for finding travel nurse housing in San Luis Obispo, and joining local travel nurse social media groups can give you insider tips and real-time availability updates.
For more resources on finding and securing great travel nurse housing anywhere in the country, explore our complete housing guide. And when you are comparing pay packages for San Luis Obispo assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your San Luis Obispo assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.