on $100k a year, leaving Gainesville

change
San Luis Obispo, CA cityscape

next stop after gainesville

San Luis Obispo

ca · metro 282k

photo: Juan Montes / pexels

a 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.

metro282k

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$2,225

more each month than Gainesville ran you

A real premium for San Luis Obispo. Worth it only if the city itself is the whole point.
landable, recorded on the san luis obispo entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$3,095/mo

88% more expensive than Gainesville(vs $1,645/mo)

02state income tax

9.3%

$775/mo more in state tax than Gainesville

vs 0% in Gainesville

03after rent

$4,463/mo

$2,225 less than Gainesville

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$934k

195% more expensive than Gainesville

vs $317k in Gainesville

05metro size

282k

vs 350k in Gainesville

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

303

pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.

Gainesville keeps to 206 pleasant days a year.

Nights and weekends fill up faster. 3.3× more on the calendar than Gainesville.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

68/100

8% higher than Gainesville

vs 63/100 in Gainesville

Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.

·walk score®

98/100

8% higher than Gainesville

vs 91/100 in Gainesville

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

3

40% fewer than Gainesville

vs 5 nonstops in Gainesville

04 · see also

if san luis obispo appeals, also worth a look:

see also

oxnard

$100/mo cheaper

turn the page

see also

honolulu

$111/mo cheaper

turn the page

see also

naples

$1,151/mo cheaper

turn the page

compare san luis obispo with:

OxnardHonoluluNaples