What it's like to live in Atascadero
Atascadero is a small city in California with household incomes running above the national average, crime rates well below the national average, and commutes that run shorter than most cities. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Atascadero deals with rent well above the national average, home prices well above the national average, air quality that falls short of national benchmarks, and larger class sizes than the national average.
The good
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High home prices
- Air quality concerns
- High student-teacher ratio
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Atascadero compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Atascadero
Based on Atascadero's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$3,708
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $74,160 a year
- 50% of Atascadero renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$143,300
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $71,650
- Homes cost 7.8× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 31% above US
$1,854/mo median rent
Rent runs on the higher side, at $1,854 a month median. Whether that premium makes sense usually comes down to the local job market and what it pays. Home prices are steep, with a median around $716,500. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.
Median home value $716,500 · 50% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▼ 12% below US
3.8% unemployment
Unemployment here is 3.8%, close to the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▼ 55% below US
148 violent crimes per 100k
Safety is genuinely one of the selling points here. Both violent and property crime run well below the national average, the kind of numbers that fade into the background after a week of living somewhere.
Property crime 730/100k · Atascadero Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 12% below US
23 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 22.9 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 14% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 90°F, and winters are chilly but manageable, with lows around 35°F. It's a dry climate with limited rainfall.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▼ 12% below US
32% bachelor's degree or higher
Education levels run about average, with 32% college-educated. It's a mix of white-collar and blue-collar work, which can be an asset or a limitation depending on the field.
Schools
9 public schools inside the boundary
There are 9 public schools inside the boundary and 2 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 22:1, above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Pinnacles National Park (75 miles away).
Bottom line
Atascadero's strongest points are household incomes running above the national average and crime rates well below the national average; the main tradeoffs are rent well above the national average and home prices well above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,854/mo) equals 24% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit anyone prioritizing low crime. It may be a harder fit for renters on a tight budget and anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Atascadero
All California guides →Moving to El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) →
11 mi away · pop. 31,446
Rent $1,981/mo · Income $92,228
Compare with Atascadero →Moving to Morro Bay →
13 mi away · pop. 10,692
Rent $1,858/mo · Income $95,843
Compare with Atascadero →Moving to Los Osos →
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Rent $2,047/mo · Income $108,932
Compare with Atascadero →Moving to San Luis Obispo →
15 mi away · pop. 48,491
Rent $1,965/mo · Income $73,685
Compare with Atascadero →Not sure Atascadero is the one?
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