salaryRent is higher than in 90% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.9 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $108,800 a year. That is $52 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 440 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Paso Robles?
Share of households by yearly income. 32.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Paso Robles
| Size | Paso Robles | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,215 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,631 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,033 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,730 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,950 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Paso Robles overall?
Everyday prices in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles metro area are 9% above the U.S. average (index 108.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Paso Robles
Life in Paso Robles
What jobs pay in Paso Robles
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $175,780 | 18.6% |
| Pharmacist | $172,860 | 18.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $162,950 | 20.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $162,790 | 20.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $138,820 | 23.5% |
| Software Developer | $135,020 | 24.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $125,670 | 26.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $110,210 | 29.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $104,260 | 31.3% |
| Police Officer | $101,860 | 32.0% |
| Operations Manager | $101,840 | 32.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $97,620 | 33.4% |
| Accountant | $88,160 | 37.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,940 | 40.8% |
| Carpenter | $77,220 | 42.3% |
| Electrician | $76,540 | 42.6% |
| Firefighter | $75,910 | 43.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $75,160 | 43.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $66,660 | 49.0% |
| Plumber | $63,090 | 51.7% |
| Truck Driver | $60,380 | 54.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $49,520 | 65.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,840 | 69.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,740 | 69.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $43,220 | 75.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,730 | 84.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,780 | 86.4% |
| Cashier | $36,550 | 89.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,950 | 93.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Paso Robles?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,048 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $687,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $68,720 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Paso Robles, CA?
Renting in Paso Robles costs a median of about $2,720 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Paso Robles?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $108,800 a year, or $52 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Paso Robles cheap or expensive?
Paso Robles is rated Expensive: rent takes 32.8% of the typical household income of $99,468. It ranks 440th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Paso Robles?
The median homeowner in Paso Robles pays $4,600 a year in property taxes, about 0.67% of the median home value.
Is Paso Robles more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Paso Robles?
The median home value in Paso Robles is $687,200, about 6.9 times the typical yearly household income.
31,446 people live in Paso Robles. Numbers are typical (middle) values.