$100k a year, no longer in Dayton
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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read the guidethe verdict
more each month than Dayton ran you
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
134% more expensive than Dayton(vs $1,321/mo)
9.3%
$443/mo more in state tax than Dayton
vs 3.99% in Dayton
$4,463/mo
$2,217 less than Dayton
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
573% more expensive than Dayton
vs $139k in Dayton
282k
vs 808k in Dayton
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Dayton barely cracks 171 pleasant ones.
Comparable to Dayton for events and concerts.
68/100
10% higher than Dayton
vs 62/100 in Dayton
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
10% higher than Dayton
vs 89/100 in Dayton
3
81% fewer than Dayton
vs 16 nonstops in Dayton
neighbors of san luis obispo on the map of tradeoffs:
