on $100k a year, leaving Asheville
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
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Best cities for live music and arts
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Best small cities to live in
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Best cities with mild winters
read the guidethe verdict
more each month than Asheville ran you
San Luis Obispo doesn't pretend to be affordable. Move here for what San Luis Obispo is, not for what it leaves on your monthly ledger.
a quick ledger.
$3,095/mo
78% more expensive than Asheville(vs $1,738/mo)
9.3%
$400/mo more in state tax than Asheville
vs 4.5% in Asheville
$4,463/mo
$1,757 less than Asheville
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
117% more expensive than Asheville
vs $430k in Asheville
282k
vs 417k in Asheville
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Asheville barely cracks 201 pleasant ones.
71% fewer events than Asheville. The pace eases up.
68/100
3% higher than Asheville
vs 66/100 in Asheville
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
56% higher than Asheville
vs 63/100 in Asheville
3
62% fewer than Asheville
vs 8 nonstops in Asheville
in the same ballpark as san luis obispo:
