$100k salary, packing up from Des Moines
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
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read the guidethe verdict
the monthly premium over Des Moines
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
144% more expensive than Des Moines(vs $1,268/mo)
9.3%
$275/mo more in state tax than Des Moines
vs 6% in Des Moines
$4,463/mo
$2,102 less than Des Moines
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
212% more expensive than Des Moines
vs $300k in Des Moines
282k
vs 737k in Des Moines
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Des Moines barely cracks 151 pleasant ones.
Des Moines hosts 4.6× more events.
68/100
24% higher than Des Moines
vs 55/100 in Des Moines
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
26% higher than Des Moines
vs 78/100 in Des Moines
3
82% fewer than Des Moines
vs 17 nonstops in Des Moines
neighbors of san luis obispo on the map of tradeoffs:
