San Luis Obispo Neighborhood
Is Japantown a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide
Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in San Luis Obispo, California - so you can decide with confidence before buying or renting.
Most buyers only see the home. Smart buyers check the neighborhood first.
Crime Summary:
Crime Overview (last 12 months)
Severe63
Medium44
Low152
Other724
48 Registered Offenders Nearby
Rape6
Child involved42
Assault3
Other1
Crime Details:
Recent reported incidents in the past 12 months (newest first). Up to 10 records.
| Crime date | Crime description | Address | Crime category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, an officer conducts a traffic stop near the intersection of El Camino Real and Cabrillo. The stop appears to involve a specific vehicle license plate. | CA-1 & El Camino Real, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical call was reported for an unknown sick person near South Higuera Street, space (number withheld). | S Higuera St Spc 161, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency medical crews were sent code 3 to a mobile home park on South Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo for a 49-year-old man with possible stroke symptoms, including a drooping face, vomiting, and numbness on his left side. | S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency crews respond to a possible intoxicated person outside a business on Higuera Street, with police already on scene. | Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 | Substance Use |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, eMS and police respond code 2 to reports of an intoxicated person sitting on a bench near Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo. | Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 | Substance Use |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, officers conducted a traffic stop near Madonna Road and Los Osos Valley Road involving a Jeep utility vehicle. A records check on the vehicle reportedly came back clear and current. | Los Osos Valley Rd & Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, medical aid was requested for an alert and conscious person near northbound US-(number withheld) at Santa Rosa Street in San Luis Obispo. Police were on scene and requested medical assistance. The medical unit was dispatched but later canceled. | N Santa Rosa St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical emergency was reported near northbound Highway 101 behind the police department area near Santa Rosa street. The call was later canceled by police on scene. | Santa Rosa St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire crews responded to reports of smoke near a hotel on Olive Street. A passerby reported seeing smoke but no flames, and an officer on scene later advised it appeared to be a barbecue. | Olive St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 | Fire |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, unit 95 is transporting a medical emergency code 2 to Sierra Vista. MedCom advised availability to Sierra Vista. | Murray Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 | Medical Emergency |
For all crime details - View Safety Report
Median Home Price
$1,062,223
Average Rent
$2,449
Vacancy Rate
9.2%
Overview
Japantown is a suburban neighborhood in San Luis Obispo, CA, with housing mostly built between 1970 and the present.
The median home price is $1,062,223, higher than 62.9% of California neighborhoods, and average rent is $2,449, lower than 79.6% of the state.
SuburbanEstablished HomesDiverse Housing
Quick Facts
| Retirement Friendly | Ranks better than 88.7% of CA neighborhoods |
|---|
Housing market and real estate character
Housing consists mainly of small to medium single-family homes and mobile homes, with a mix of owners and renters.
| Vacancy Rate | 9.2% |
|---|---|
| Homes Built 1970-1999 | Majority |
| Homes Built 2000-Present | Significant portion |
What buyers will notice right away
The neighborhood has a balanced mix of owner-occupied and rental homes.
Most homes were built between 1970 and the present, offering a range of modern to established styles.
Families & Lifestyle
Japantown is noted for its retirement appeal and a strong executive professional workforce.
Retirement Friendly — Ranks better for retirement living than 88.7% of California neighborhoods.
Active Commuting — 4.0% bicycle commuters, more than 97% of US neighborhoods.
| Executive, Management & Professional Occupations | 66.1% |
|---|---|
| Child Poverty Rate | 12.8% |
Demographics
| Executive, Management & Professional Occupations | 66.1% |
|---|---|
| Foreign Born Residents | 11.3% |
| Romanian Ancestry | 1.5% |
| Armenian Ancestry | 1.0% |
| Top Languages | English (83.3%), Spanish, Chinese |
| Top Ancestries | German (19.1%), English (18.7%), Irish (14.4%), Mexican (13.1%), Italian (6.8%) |
Commute
Commutes are relatively short with most residents driving alone, and a notable share biking to work.
Japantown offers short commutes with a strong presence of bicycle commuters and a majority driving alone.
Short Commutes — Nearly half of workers commute under 15 minutes.
High Bicycle Use — 4% bike to work, a rate higher than most US neighborhoods.
| Commute Under 15 Minutes | 46.7% |
|---|---|
| Drive Alone Rate | 63.4% |
| Bicycle Commute Rate | 4.0% |
Homes for sale near 93401
For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.
$296,000
2 bd | 2 ba | 1,200 sqft
3860 S Higuera St Spc 217
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$1,170,000
3 bd | 2 ba | 1,214 sqft
2357 Boulevard Del Campo Blvd
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$240,000
2 bd | 2 ba | 1,022 sqft
3960 S Higuera St Space 135
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$4,595,000
4 bd | 4 ba | 4,725 sqft
4950 Davenport Creek Rd
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$850,000
3 bd | 3 ba | 1,659 sqft
3591 Sacramento Dr APT 47
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$375,000
3 bd | 2 ba | 1,385 sqft
3395 S Higuera St Space 8
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$275,000
2 bd | 2 ba | 840 sqft
3057 S Higuera St Space 42
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$1,260,120
4 bd | 3 ba | 2,273 sqft
252 Memphis Belle Way Ct
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$398,000
2 bd | 1 ba | 1,216 sqft
3057 S Higuera St Space 111
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$383,900
3 bd | 2 ba | 1,560 sqft
3395 S Higuera St Space 4
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$879,500
3 bd | 3 ba | 1,893 sqft
3591 Sacramento Dr APT 25
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
—
4 bd | 5 ba | 3,658 sqft
Estrella 4A Farmhouse Plan, Enclave at Righetti
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$859,000
3 bd | 3 ba | 1,651 sqft
3864 Righetti Ranch Road
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$1,199,000
3 bd | 3 ba | 1,621 sqft
4020 Righetti Ranch Rd
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$885,000
2 bd | 3 ba | 1,705 sqft
2460 Victoria Ave Unit 102
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$375,000
3 bd | 2 ba | 1,272 sqft
3960 S Higuera St Spc 66
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$415,000
2 bd | 3 ba | 1,740 sqft
3395 S Higuera St Space 48
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$529,000
1 bd | 1 ba | 736 sqft
3591 Sacramento Dr Unit 216
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
$949,000
2 bd | 3 ba | 2,005 sqft
2460 Victoria Ave Unit 104
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93409
$1,170,000
3 bd | 2 ba | 1,214 sqft
2357 Boulevard Del Campo Blvd
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93409
$275,000
2 bd | 2 ba | 840 sqft
3057 S Higuera St Space 42
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93409
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in Japantown?
The median home price is $1,062,223.
How common is bicycle commuting in Japantown?
4.0% of residents bike to work, higher than 97.3% of US neighborhoods.
What is the child poverty rate here?
12.8% of children live below the federal poverty line.