357 movers in San Luis Obispo

What to know when moving to San Luis Obispo, CA

San Luis Obispo at a Glance

The Vibe:
A highly educated area where 56.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree and 52.6% rent.
The Major Draw:
Median household income is $95,386, making it financially attractive.
The Reality Check:
With a median gross rent of $1,859, housing costs can be high.
Commute:
Only 1.6% of residents use public transit.
Top Tip:
Budget for $1,859/month in rent.

The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?

San Luis Obispo has a population of about 29,995, with many residents enjoying a high level of education; 56.8% hold at least a bachelor's degree. The community is slightly more rental-focused, with 52.6% of residents renting their homes. However, the median gross rent is $1,859, which may be a consideration for prospective movers.

Probably not your spot if you are looking for low housing costs or a robust public transit system, as only 1.6% of residents utilize public transit.

Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot

  • Median gross rent is $1,859, while the median value of owner-occupied homes stands at $943,500.
  • Education level is high, with 56.8% of residents holding a bachelor's degree and a poverty rate of 14.9%.
  • Only 1.6% of residents commute using public transit, indicating a high level of car dependency.
  • The renter percentage is 52.6%, showing a balanced mix of renters and homeowners.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.

Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say

Crime data for California shows a decrease in property crime and violent crime rates over the years.

  • Violent crime rate is 415.5 per 100k, above the national average of 325.3.
  • Property crime rate is 1,764 per 100k, also higher than the national rate of 1,546.9.
  • Notable trend: The homicide rate has decreased by 44.9% since 2022, now at 3.2 per 100k.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for California).

Schools & Higher Ed

Access to education is significant, with a total of 4 postsecondary institutions nearby.

  • California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
  • Central California School of Continuing Education
  • Cuesta College
  • Laurus College

Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations, NCES College Scorecard.

Weather & Getting Outside

While specific climate data is not available, there are several outdoor parks and recreational areas nearby.

  • Dinosaur Caves Park - 4.7 stars (4,961 reviews)
  • Morro Bay State Park - 4.7 stars (1,647 reviews)
  • Avila Beach Park - 4.7 stars (1,423 reviews)
  • Pismo Preserve - 4.7 stars (1,012 reviews)

Source: Google Places API.

Jobs & the Local Economy

San Luis Obispo County has a stable job market with a reasonable unemployment rate.

  • Unemployment rate: 4.3% as of December 2025.
  • Employed: 125,996 individuals in the county.
  • Labor force: 131,722 individuals.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.

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Who regulates San Luis Obispo interstate movers?

San Luis Obispo moving companies are required to be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) if they perform interstate moves. No matter if it is a moving company or a broker, they should have a valid DOT number. You can look up a mover here.

Agency: United States Department of Transportation
Address: 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE, Washington DC 20590
Phone: (855) 368-4200
Website: www.fmcsa.dot.gov

To see if a specific movers complies with regulations, simply select a company from the list.

Moving within vs moving out of California

Let's see how many people move within California versus those who moved from The Golden State to another state.

Moved Within CA
46%
Moved out of CA
54%

Out of all California household moves, approximately 46% of them have been local ones, with 54% of the people moving to another state in the country.

Despite being the home of the nation’s second- and third-largest urban economies (the Greater Los Angeles Area and the San Francisco Bay Area respectively), the majority of Californians have still chosen to move out of the state.

Who regulates California local movers

When contacting local California moving companies, make sure to check their cal-T number issued by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Household goods moving companies must obtain permits from the PUC after proving financial and safety fitness.

They must also prove that they have adequate insurance and they are subject to criminal background clearance by the California Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Agency: California Public Utilities Commission
Address: SSRS Unit 505, Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102-3298
Phone: (800) 848-5580
Website: www.cpuc.ca.gov

The CPUC controls privately owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, along with passenger transportation companies.

What do people move within California?

Ever wondered which are the most popular move sizes when people move locally in CA?

Studio (7%)
1 Bedroom (22%)
2 Bedroom (26%)
3 Bedroom (22%)
4 Bedroom (7%)

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How much does it cost to hire movers

As it turns out, the cost to hire professional movers will effectively solve the ever-present dilemma of whether you should hire a mover or do it yourself. The cost depends on a number of important factors, including the type of the move itself (local move or a long distance). See the breakdown.

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