US Metro Real Estate Intelligence
Rankings/San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

NeutralTier 1CBSA 42020Compare
Risk Rank: #161 of 274Month: 2026-05Score change (12m): -4
48score
Composite risk percentile vs 274 metros (higher = higher risk)

Executive Summary

San Luis Obispo's housing market shows average risk, ranking 161st of 274 metros. The market recently entered Recovery. Current conditions are balanced with stable liquidity. Early signs of stabilization — conditions may favor patient buyers.

San Luis Obispo experienced a market correction from early 2025 through mid-2025. The market is currently recovering.

Inventory is roughly flat (+1% YoY) with homes selling at a normal pace — a balanced market.

Rent growth is roughly keeping pace with price appreciation, suggesting valuations are not stretched.

Cycle Phase

RecoveryExpansionHypersupplyRecession
1 month in current phase

Market conditions are rebuilding after a correction period

2019202020212022202320242025

Key Dynamics

Risk is primarily driven by employment and permit growth, while price momentum provides the most support.

Top Drivers

Employmentp99
12-month employment change (risk inverted)
Permit Growthp70
YoY permit change
Affordabilityp66
Mortgage payment / income

Market Signals

Inventory is roughly flat (+1% YoY) with homes selling at a normal pace — a balanced market.

Liquidity

Stable
Active Listings YoY
+1.1%p50
Days on Market YoY
-1.8%p44
Months in status1
Data through May 2026

Valuation

Balanced
Rent vs. Price Growth
+2.9%p92
Months in status1
Data through May 2026Rent growth vs price growth (rent support). Note: Affordability and Valuation measure different structural dimensions and can diverge.
Factor Details
Lower riskHigher risk
Low RiskBelow AvgNeutralElevatedHigh Risk
Price MomentumLow Risk
-0.5%p5

12-month HPI change — higher = overheating

Permit GrowthElevated
+9.3%p70

YoY permit change — higher = supply pressure

Permits per CapitaBelow Avg
2.92p34

Permits per 1,000 residents — higher = overbuilding risk

AffordabilityElevated
0.30p66

Mortgage payment / income — higher = more burdened

EmploymentHigh Risk
-2.7%p99

12-month employment change (risk inverted)

MigrationLow Risk
+$208Kp14

Net AGI migration (risk inverted)

National Context

Credit Conditions

Credit Regime

Stable

Healthy recovery. Credit is flowing normally and transactions are steady — conditions favor continued rebuilding.

Bank Lending Standards
-3.7Normal
Rate Change (YoY)
-38 bpsNormal
Mortgage Risk Premium
+199 bpsElevated
Stable for 9 quartersData through 2026-Q2

Supply Pipeline

Supply Regime

Accumulating

Supply pipeline is building up while credit remains available. New units are accumulating in the system — watch for delivery pressure in coming quarters.

Pipeline Ratio
0.90Elevated
Completion-Permit Divergence
-5.9 ppNormal
Accumulating for 5 quartersData through 2026-Q2
Local Signals

Metro Permit Activity

Permit Activity

Normal
YoY Permit Growth
+9.3%Within norm

Raw signal — not the composite percentile

Relative to 2016–2019 norms for this metro

Based on limited permit volume

Supply and demand are in equilibrium. No unusual activity on either side of the market.

Employment Concentration

Employment

Moderate
Largest SectorGovernment 17.8%
QCEW 2024 annual averages
Internal Structure

County-level structural analysis.

County-level structural analysis is not available for this metro due to fewer than 3 qualifying counties.

Score History
MonthScore
2025-1239
2025-1059
2025-0948
2025-0752
2025-0652
2025-0452
2025-0155
2024-1251
2024-1050
2024-0757
2024-0560
2024-0364
2024-0262
2023-1263
2023-0958
2023-0754
2023-0554
2023-0454
2023-0256
2023-0158
2022-1156
2022-0856
2022-0756
2022-0551
2022-0350
2022-0248
2021-1246
2021-1146
2021-0944
2021-0644
2021-0541
2021-0351
2021-0254
2020-1251
2020-1152
2020-0952
2020-0653
2020-0453
2020-0240
2020-0147
2019-1142
2019-0838
2019-0544
2019-0347
2019-0146
Data Vintages
Price (HPI)2026-Q1
Permits2026-05
Income2024
Employment2026-05
Migration2023