Photo: Rennett Stowe · CC BY 2.0San Luis Obispo spent more per resident in 2022 than 83% of similar cities
San Luis Obispo’s city government spent $102.6 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, about $2,122 per resident. Water and other utilities ($28.9 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how San Luis Obispo is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$2,001 per resident in 2022: more than 83% of them
San Luis Obispo’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($2,001 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 92 California cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,158, and the middle half spent $831–$1,730. San Luis Obispo spent more than 83% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($9.7 million), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
California cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; San Luis Obispo itself left out).
About $2,122 per resident a year, or $5.81 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 24%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Day-to-day spending is up 8% since 2022
Day-to-day services, in dollars, in the years San Luis Obispo reported to the Census Bureau. Prices rose too: about 4% a year in 2022–2024.
Day-to-day spending by fiscal year
Per resident: 2022: $2,001 · 2024: $2,122.
Building projects, interest and enterprises (hospital, utilities) are left out, so a big construction year doesn’t read as growth.
The typical homeowner pays $5,847 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.63% of the home’s value, vs 0.70% across California.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at San Luis Obispo’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Tax bills are one input to San Luis Obispo’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in San Luis Obispo →
Who’s in charge in San Luis Obispo
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
One full-time city employee for every 120 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2024 finance file (48,341).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
San Luis Coastal Unified School District
San Luis Obispo’s K–12 school district, shared with Morro Bay. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $19,917 per pupil, $11,208 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
California districts overall: 36% local, 52% state, 11% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
San Luis Obispo’s votes are counted by county
California reports official results by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for San Luis Obispo alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are San Luis Obispo County’s results.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat53.9%81,290 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican43.1%64,879 votesOthers: 3.0% (4,520 votes).
Most votes in San Luis Obispo County: Kamala D Harris
California: Harris 58.5%, Trump 38.3%
100% of San Luis Obispo lies in San Luis Obispo County. Every 2024 race in San Luis Obispo County is on the county’s page.
San Luis Obispo County’s 2024 results →Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for San Luis Obispo.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilLocal officials aren’t on record yet.
- 2California AssemblyState representatives
- 3California SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of California
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How San Luis Obispo compares with the towns next door
San Luis Obispo spent $2,001 per resident in 2022. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo | $2,001 | $5,847 |
Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).
Reach San Luis Obispo’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about San Luis Obispo’s government
How much does San Luis Obispo spend per resident?
About $2,122 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2024, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $2,001 was more than 83% of 92 California cities of 25,000–49,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in San Luis Obispo?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $5,847 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.63% of the typical home’s value, vs 0.70% across California. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the city’s assessor.
Who runs San Luis Obispo’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for San Luis Obispo yet.
How did San Luis Obispo vote in 2024?
California counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for San Luis Obispo alone. San Luis Obispo County, where 100% of San Luis Obispo lies, voted Harris 53.9%, Trump 43.1% for president; its page has every race.
How many people work for San Luis Obispo?
402 full-time and 147 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $4.1M (about $49.2M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents San Luis Obispo in the state legislature?
State Senate District 17 (John Laird) and Assembly District 30 (Dawn Addis). The Assembly district also covers 15 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about San Luis Obispo’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →