$100k salary, packing up from Charleston
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
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read the guidethe verdict
the monthly premium over Charleston
A real premium for San Luis Obispo. Worth it only if the city itself is the whole point.
a quick ledger.
$3,095/mo
56% more expensive than Charleston(vs $1,987/mo)
9.3%
$233/mo more in state tax than Charleston
vs 6.5% in Charleston
$4,463/mo
$1,342 less than Charleston
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
116% more expensive than Charleston
vs $432k in Charleston
282k
vs 849k in Charleston
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Charleston only manages 212 of those.
But the calendar thins out: Charleston stays 4.1× busier.
68/100
1% higher than Charleston
vs 67/100 in Charleston
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
7% higher than Charleston
vs 92/100 in Charleston
3
85% fewer than Charleston
vs 20 nonstops in Charleston
cities that play in san luis obispo's register:
