same $100k income, fresh start from Ann Arbor
changea dispatch from
san luis obispo
CA
35.28°N
120.66°W
San Luis Obispo (SLO to locals) sits halfway between LA and San Francisco on the central coast, with Cal Poly students, gorgeous wine country (Edna Valley and Paso Robles nearby), and a Thursday night farmers market that takes over downtown. It's been called the happiest city in America (multiple studies, Oprah included), and the vibe really does back that up. Bubblegum Alley is exactly what it sounds like. Mellow and beautiful.
in our guides
of 10
Most walkable cities in America
read the guideof 10
Best cities for live music and arts
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Best small cities to live in
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Best cities to escape the heat
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Best cities for outdoor athletes
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Best cities with year-round outdoor weather
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Best cities for cyclists
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Best cities to live in California
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Best cities for foodies
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Best cities for dog owners
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Best cities with mild winters
read the guidethe verdict
more expensive each month than Ann Arbor
San Luis Obispo is the expensive option. The argument has to be entirely about the place, not the price.
a quick ledger.
$3,095/mo
49% more expensive than Ann Arbor(vs $2,082/mo)
9.3%
$421/mo more in state tax than Ann Arbor
vs 4.25% in Ann Arbor
$4,463/mo
$1,434 less than Ann Arbor
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
118% more expensive than Ann Arbor
vs $429k in Ann Arbor
282k
vs 366k in Ann Arbor
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Ann Arbor barely cracks 154 pleasant ones.
About as much going on as in Ann Arbor.
68/100
21% higher than Ann Arbor
vs 56/100 in Ann Arbor
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
1% higher than Ann Arbor
vs 97/100 in Ann Arbor
3
98% fewer than Ann Arbor
vs 135 nonstops in Ann Arbor
in the same ballpark as san luis obispo:
