Why Live in Highland
Highland, located a few miles northwest of Downtown San Luis Obispo and near Bishop Peak, is a diverse neighborhood popular with families, retirees, and the California Polytechnic State University community. The area features a mix of mid-20th-century to 1980s homes, many of which have been renovated. The southeast end of Highland is characterized by smaller, more affordable midcentury ranch-style homes and bungalows, often with accessory dwelling units (ADUs) rented by students. The northern part, closer to Bishop Peak, has larger custom homes from the '80s and '90s on spacious lots, attracting younger families. Highland offers several hiking trails, including routes up Bishop Peak, and the nearly 3-mile-long Throop Park with recreational facilities. The neighborhood is served by the highly rated San Luis Coastal Unified School District, with schools like Bishop’s Peak Elementary, Laguna Middle, and San Luis Obispo High. Local amenities include California Fresh Market, Raku Ramen, Milestone Tavern, Scout Coffee, and SloDoCo Donuts. Downtown San Luis Obispo, just a couple of miles southeast, features a variety of dining, shopping, and cultural attractions, such as the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art and the Fremont Theater. The area is safer than the national average, and recent infrastructure improvements have enhanced connectivity to downtown and the Cal Poly campus. SLO Transit bus stops and proximity to Highway 1, Adventist Health Sierra Vista, and San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport add to the neighborhood's convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Highland a good place to live?
Highland is a good place to live. Highland is considered very car-dependent and bikeable with some transit options. Highland has 1 park for recreational activities. It is somewhat dense in population with 7.4 people per acre and a median age of 28. The average household income is $93,893 which is below the national average. College graduates make up 62.8% of residents. A majority of residents in Highland are renters, with 62.2% of residents renting and 37.8% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Highland can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Highland neighborhood guide.
Is Highland, CA a safe neighborhood?
Highland, CA is less safe than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 6 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Highland?
The median home price in Highland is $457,494. If you put a 20% down payment of $91,500 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.74%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $2,370 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $102K a year to afford the median home price in Highland. The average household income in Highland is $94K.
What are the best public schools in Highland?
The best public schools that serve Highland are:
What are the best private schools in Highland?
The best private schools that serve Highland are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Highland, San Luis Obispo, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Highland, San Luis Obispo, CA?
Home Trends in Highland, CA
On average, homes in Highland, San Luis Obispo sell after 115 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Highland, San Luis Obispo over the last 12 months is $434,990, up 55% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$434,990
Median Single Family Sale Price
$551,990
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$624,000
Median 1 Bedroom Sale Price
$439,999
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$286
Number of Homes for Sale
8
Last 12 months Home Sales
27
Median List Price
$457,494
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
55%