Home project costs in San Luis Obispo, CA
Every project we cover, priced for the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles area is 108.6 against 100 for the US, which puts San Luis Obispo 17th among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 105.2. BLS counts roughly 122,020 jobs here.
In San Luis Obispo, 38 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 0 below. The biggest premiums are French drain (+21%), asphalt driveway (+20%) and chain-link fence (+19%); the lowest are shower pan (+1%), kitchen backsplash (+2%) and tile flooring (+3%). The spread comes from which trades each job uses: a labor-heavy job follows local wages, while a materials-heavy job follows the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (San Luis Obispo Ap, 3 miles away) shows a January average low of 41°F, a July average high of 78°F and 18 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are January through November; for exterior installation, every month is workable.
What local trades earn in San Luis Obispo
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $23.31 | $28.92 | $36.80 | $22.66 | 1.28 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $28.97 | $37.12 | $44.20 | $29.12 | 1.27 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $30.15 | $38.14 | $56.13 | $28.78 | 1.33 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $28.38 | $30.33 | $39.95 | $30.67 | 0.99 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $25.17 | $29.36 | $37.69 | $27.41 | 1.07 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $28.18 | $36.80 | $48.36 | $30.38 | 1.21 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | $22.54 | $25.31 | $31.82 | $26.77 | 0.95 |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $28.71 | $30.30 | $34.12 | $26.65 | 1.14 |
Concrete & paving in San Luis Obispo
Across these 7 projects, San Luis Obispo averages +14% against national midpoints. Asphalt driveway is highest at +20% and stamped concrete lowest at +10%.
| Project | Size | San Luis Obispo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in San Luis Obispo | 400 sq ft | $2,750 – $5,750 | +11% |
| Concrete driveway cost in San Luis Obispo | 600 sq ft | $4,100 – $10,500 | +14% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in San Luis Obispo | 600 sq ft | $3,550 – $8,950 | +20% |
| Gravel driveway cost in San Luis Obispo | 1,000 sq ft | $2,950 – $12,000 | +18% |
| Paver patio cost in San Luis Obispo | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,250 | +15% |
| Concrete patio cost in San Luis Obispo | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,500 | +12% |
| Stamped concrete cost in San Luis Obispo | 400 sq ft | $3,550 – $8,800 | +10% |
Decks & outdoor in San Luis Obispo
Across these 2 projects, San Luis Obispo averages +17% against national midpoints. Composite deck is highest at +19% and wood deck lowest at +15%.
| Project | Size | San Luis Obispo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in San Luis Obispo | 300 sq ft | $8,700 – $17,400 | +15% |
| Composite deck cost in San Luis Obispo | 300 sq ft | $14,300 – $28,600 | +19% |
Building & additions in San Luis Obispo
The 2 jobs here average +14% versus the US in San Luis Obispo, from +14% (detached garage) to +15% (home addition).
| Project | Size | San Luis Obispo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in San Luis Obispo | 576 sq ft | $32,900 – $66,100 | +14% |
| Home addition cost in San Luis Obispo | 300 sq ft | $43,600 – $88,200 | +15% |
Doors & windows in San Luis Obispo
Across these 5 projects, San Luis Obispo averages +10% against national midpoints. Storm door is highest at +12% and window replacement lowest at +8%.
| Project | Size | San Luis Obispo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in San Luis Obispo | 1 door | $780 – $4,050 | +10% |
| Storm door cost in San Luis Obispo | 1 door | $400 – $1,050 | +12% |
| Front door cost in San Luis Obispo | 1 door | $580 – $2,700 | +10% |
| Window replacement cost in San Luis Obispo | 10 windows | $4,900 – $16,100 | +8% |
| Patio door cost in San Luis Obispo | 1 door | $660 – $6,700 | +12% |
Fencing in San Luis Obispo
Across these 4 projects, San Luis Obispo averages +14% against national midpoints. Chain-link fence is highest at +19% and vinyl fence lowest at +10%.
| Project | Size | San Luis Obispo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in San Luis Obispo | 150 linear ft | $3,550 – $8,700 | +15% |
| Vinyl fence cost in San Luis Obispo | 150 linear ft | $4,950 – $10,100 | +10% |
| Chain-link fence cost in San Luis Obispo | 150 linear ft | $1,750 – $7,400 | +19% |
| Aluminum fence cost in San Luis Obispo | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $12,800 | +13% |
Roofing & exterior in San Luis Obispo
Across these 5 projects, San Luis Obispo averages +11% against national midpoints. Vinyl siding is highest at +16% and attic insulation lowest at +5%.
| Project | Size | San Luis Obispo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in San Luis Obispo | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,900 – $13,900 | +12% |
| Metal roof cost in San Luis Obispo | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,600 – $36,100 | +12% |
| Gutters cost in San Luis Obispo | 160 linear ft | $1,450 – $4,650 | +12% |
| Vinyl siding cost in San Luis Obispo | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $9,750 – $29,300 | +16% |
| Attic insulation cost in San Luis Obispo | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,200 | +5% |
Kitchen & bath in San Luis Obispo
The 5 jobs here average +7% versus the US in San Luis Obispo, from +1% (shower pan) to +15% (kitchen cabinets).
| Project | Size | San Luis Obispo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in San Luis Obispo | 25 linear ft | $4,700 – $16,200 | +15% |
| Shower pan cost in San Luis Obispo | 1 pan | $920 – $2,850 | +1% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in San Luis Obispo | 120 sq ft | $19,900 – $33,900 | +8% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in San Luis Obispo | 45 sq ft | $5,050 – $25,000 | +7% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in San Luis Obispo | 30 sq ft | $300 – $1,550 | +2% |
Landscaping & drainage in San Luis Obispo
The 5 jobs here average +14% versus the US in San Luis Obispo, from +11% (sprinkler system) to +21% (French drain).
| Project | Size | San Luis Obispo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in San Luis Obispo | 60 linear ft | $720 – $2,550 | +21% |
| Retaining wall cost in San Luis Obispo | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,050 – $15,000 | +12% |
| Sod installation cost in San Luis Obispo | 1,500 sq ft | $1,700 – $3,700 | +12% |
| Sprinkler system cost in San Luis Obispo | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,450 – $11,100 | +11% |
| Inground pool cost in San Luis Obispo | 450 sq ft | $41,300 – $129,000 | +14% |
Flooring & interior in San Luis Obispo
Across these 3 projects, San Luis Obispo averages +9% against national midpoints. Hardwood flooring is highest at +12% and tile flooring lowest at +3%.
| Project | Size | San Luis Obispo range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in San Luis Obispo | 500 sq ft | $6,200 – $14,000 | +12% |
| Laminate flooring cost in San Luis Obispo | 500 sq ft | $2,250 – $7,800 | +12% |
| Tile flooring cost in San Luis Obispo | 200 sq ft | $2,400 – $10,300 | +3% |
San Luis Obispo against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, San Luis Obispo prices +12% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, none price higher and 6 lower. Visalia is the lowest at +5% (110 miles) and Salinas the highest at +11% (75 miles). These are unweighted averages of the midpoints, a rough guide to overall price level rather than a number for any one job.
| Metro | Distance | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo, CAthis page | 108.6 | 105.2 | +12% | |
| Santa Maria, CA | 65 miles | 108.8 | 105.2 | +11% |
| Salinas, CA | 75 miles | 109.0 | 105.2 | +11% |
| Bakersfield, CA | 95 miles | 100.9 | 105.2 | +9% |
| Oxnard, CA | 105 miles | 110.5 | 105.2 | +11% |
| Visalia, CA | 110 miles | 99.8 | 105.2 | +5% |
| Fresno, CA | 110 miles | 102.2 | 105.2 | +7% |