Why Live in Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa in San Luis Obispo is a well-established neighborhood primarily featuring midcentury ranch-style homes with four or five bedrooms. Many properties have larger yards, ranging from 6,000 to 9,000 square feet, a rarity in newer developments. The area is popular among long-term residents and has recently become attractive for student rentals due to its proximity to Cal Poly. Santa Rosa Park serves as a central recreational hub, offering a playground, softball fields, basketball courts, a multipurpose field, a skate park, and a hockey rink. The neighborhood is conveniently located within a mile of Downtown San Luis Obispo, where residents can enjoy the weekly Downtown SLO Farmers Market and the summer concert series at Mission Plaza. The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art is another nearby attraction, showcasing regional artists. The San Luis Coastal Unified School District, which includes highly rated Bishops Peak Elementary, Laguna Middle, and San Luis Obispo High, serves the area. Santa Rosa is bordered by Highway 1 and Highway 101, providing easy access to the California Coast, and is well-connected by SLO Transit bus stops. Local amenities include California Fresh Market, Raku Ramen, Milestone Tavern, Scout Coffee, and SloDoCo Donuts. Additional dining and shopping options are available downtown, including Boo Boo Records and Finders Keepers. The neighborhood is safer than the national average, making it a practical choice for families and investors alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Santa Rosa a good place to live?
Santa Rosa is a good place to live. Santa Rosa is considered somewhat walkable and a biker's paradise with some transit options. Santa Rosa has 1 park for recreational activities. It is very dense in population with 17.6 people per acre and a median age of 25. The average household income is $34,127 which is below the national average. College graduates make up 48.6% of residents. A majority of residents in Santa Rosa are renters, with 97.9% of residents renting and 2.1% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Santa Rosa can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Santa Rosa neighborhood guide.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Santa Rosa?
The median home price in Santa Rosa is $729,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $145,800 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.5%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $3,690 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $158K a year to afford the median home price in Santa Rosa. The average household income in Santa Rosa is $34K.
What are the best public schools in Santa Rosa?
The best public schools that serve Santa Rosa are:
What are the best private schools in Santa Rosa?
The best private schools that serve Santa Rosa are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Santa Rosa, San Luis Obispo, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Santa Rosa, San Luis Obispo, CA?
Are home prices dropping in Santa Rosa?
Yes, home prices in Santa Rosa are down 8% in the last 12 months.
Home Trends in Santa Rosa, CA
On average, homes in Santa Rosa, San Luis Obispo sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Santa Rosa, San Luis Obispo over the last 12 months is $680,750, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$680,750
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,194,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$689,750
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$635
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Median List Price
$729,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-3%