Los Osos, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Los Osos is a small city in California with a population of 15,048. Residents earn $103,504 per year, which is 38% above the national average.

4.2 /5.0
A Great
15,048 Population 1,179/sq mi density
$103,504 Median Income $51,593 per capita
$728,000 Home Value $862,063 Zillow
$1,909 Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.2 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$103,504 median income, 3.0% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.7 / 5.0
$728,000 home value, $1,909/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
50.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $103,504
38% higher than US avg
Home Value $728,000
158% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 50.1%
49% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,909
64% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.4%
21% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.8%
69% lower than US avg

How Los Osos Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population15,048
Median Age47.3 yrs
Density1,179/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 79%

Economy

A+
Median Income$103,504
Per Capita$51,593
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty3.8%
County GDP$24,505M
Commute21 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$728,000
Rent$1,909
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$862,063

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity25.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.7%
Heart Disease4.5%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain17.0 in/yr
Elevation196 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+50.1%
High School+94.3%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 43% / D 54%
Commute21 min
Libraries17

Is Los Osos a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Los Osos receives an overall livability score of 4.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Los Osos stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Los Osos is $103,504, which is significantly higher than the national average — 38% above $75,149. This places Los Osos among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Los Osos is $728,000, making it a premium housing market at 158% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,909 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

Los Osos is a highly educated community — 50.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 94.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Los Osos enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 17.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Los Osos has a population of 15,048 with a density of 1,179 people per square mile. The median age is 47.3 years, 22% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (78.7%), with 2.2% Hispanic.

Population

15,048
Total Population
1,179
People / sq mi
47.3yrs
Median Age
22% above US avg
12.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.6%
Female 50.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Los Osos vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.7%
12% above US avg
Spanish12.3%
8% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Los Osos vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Los Osos is $103,504, which is 38% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Los Osos vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$103,504
38% above US avg
Per Capita Income$51,593
Avg Weekly Wage$1,179
IRS Avg AGI$98,019

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.8%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)11,662
County GDP$24,505M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,072
Healthcare1,220
Retail1,084
Manufacturing473

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,639
118% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.9 min
Work from Home15.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Los Osos is $728,000, 158% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,909 (64% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $862,063.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$728,000
158% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$862,063
Median List Price$1,112,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,112,500
$/Sq Ft$516
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio95.6%
Price Drops37.5%
Inventory16

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,909
64% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,639
118% above US avg
Effective Rate1.05%
In Los Osos, 25.4% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 23.7% report depression. 16.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Los Osos vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.4%
21% below US avg
Diabetes7.5%
Heart Disease4.5%
High Blood Pressure26.4%
Asthma10.0%
COPD4.3%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.8%
Physical Inactivity16.6%
Depression23.7%
Mental Distress16.9%
Physical Distress11.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.8%
Checkup Rate69.8%
Premature Death6,206/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access86.6%
Healthcare Facilities1,220

Crime Rates: Los Osos vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Los Osos has an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation is 17.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

56°F Jan (13°C) 62°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average59.5°F
10% above US avg
January Average56°F (13°C)
July Average62°F (17°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall17.0 inches
55% below US avg
Snowfall0.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation196 ft (60 m)
Area12.8 sq mi (33.0 km²)
Population Density1,179/sq mi
Coordinates35.3071°N, 120.8245°W
County FIPS06079
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 50.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 10.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 43.1%
D 53.9%

Winner: Democrat by 10.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+50.1%
49% above US avg
High School+94.3%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,179/sq mi
Total Area12.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries17
Healthcare Facilities1,220
Restaurants1,072
Retail Stores1,084

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.9 min
Work from Home15.7%

Nearby Cities

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