same $100k income, fresh start from Buffalo
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 Buffalo
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
125% more expensive than Buffalo(vs $1,374/mo)
9.3%
$287/mo more in state tax than Buffalo
vs 5.85% in Buffalo
$4,463/mo
$2,009 less than Buffalo
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
234% more expensive than Buffalo
vs $280k in Buffalo
282k
vs 1.2M in Buffalo
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Buffalo barely cracks 152 pleasant ones.
Lighter on events: Buffalo packs 6.8× more into a month.
68/100
3% higher than Buffalo
vs 66/100 in Buffalo
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
8% higher than Buffalo
vs 91/100 in Buffalo
3
85% fewer than Buffalo
vs 20 nonstops in Buffalo
if san luis obispo appeals, also worth a look:
