same $100k income, fresh start from Hickory
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
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Best small cities to live in
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Best cities with mild winters
read the guidethe verdict
more each month than Hickory ran you
San Luis Obispo doesn't pretend to be affordable. Move here for what San Luis Obispo is, not for what it leaves on your monthly ledger.
a quick ledger.
$3,095/mo
116% more expensive than Hickory(vs $1,434/mo)
9.3%
$400/mo more in state tax than Hickory
vs 4.5% in Hickory
$4,463/mo
$2,061 less than Hickory
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
248% more expensive than Hickory
vs $268k in Hickory
282k
vs 370k in Hickory
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Hickory only logs 189 pleasant days.
But the calendar thins out: Hickory stays 1.9× busier.
68/100
6% higher than Hickory
vs 64/100 in Hickory
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
40% higher than Hickory
vs 70/100 in Hickory
3
0% fewer than Hickory
vs 0 nonstops in Hickory
cities that play in san luis obispo's register:
