with $100k coming in, swapping out of Columbus
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
read the guideof 10
Best small cities to live in
read the guideof 10
Best cities to escape the heat
read the guideof 10
Best cities for outdoor athletes
read the guideof 10
Best cities with year-round outdoor weather
read the guideof 10
Best cities for cyclists
read the guideof 10
Best cities to live in California
read the guideof 10
Best cities for foodies
read the guideof 10
Best cities for dog owners
read the guideof 10
Best cities with mild winters
read the guidethe verdict
more expensive each month than Columbus
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
145% more expensive than Columbus(vs $1,264/mo)
9.3%
$318/mo more in state tax than Columbus
vs 5.49% in Columbus
$4,463/mo
$2,149 less than Columbus
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
349% more expensive than Columbus
vs $208k in Columbus
282k
vs 329k in Columbus
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Columbus barely cracks 177 pleasant ones.
But the calendar thins out: Columbus stays 2.3× busier.
68/100
45% higher than Columbus
vs 47/100 in Columbus
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
26% higher than Columbus
vs 78/100 in Columbus
3
200% more than Columbus
vs 1 nonstops in Columbus
if san luis obispo appeals, also worth a look:
