same $100k income, fresh start from Boulder
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 Boulder
San Luis Obispo costs noticeably more than Boulder. You'd be paying for San Luis Obispo itself, not for breathing room around it.
a quick ledger.
$3,095/mo
40% more expensive than Boulder(vs $2,216/mo)
9.3%
$408/mo more in state tax than Boulder
vs 4.4% in Boulder
$4,463/mo
$1,288 less than Boulder
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
19% more expensive than Boulder
vs $783k in Boulder
282k
vs 327k in Boulder
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Boulder only manages 178 of those.
Nights and weekends fill up faster. 1.7× more on the calendar than Boulder.
68/100
14% lower than Boulder
vs 79/100 in Boulder
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
17% higher than Boulder
vs 84/100 in Boulder
3
98% fewer than Boulder
vs 169 nonstops in Boulder
in the same ballpark as san luis obispo:
