$100k salary, packing up from Manchester
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 to escape the heat
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Best cities for outdoor athletes
read the guideof 10
Best cities with year-round outdoor weather
read the guideof 10
Best cities for cyclists
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Best cities to live in California
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Best cities for foodies
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Best cities for dog owners
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Best cities with mild winters
read the guidethe verdict
the monthly premium over Manchester
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
48% more expensive than Manchester(vs $2,092/mo)
9.3%
$775/mo more in state tax than Manchester
vs 0% in Manchester
$4,463/mo
$1,778 less than Manchester
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
71% more expensive than Manchester
vs $548k in Manchester
282k
vs 427k in Manchester
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Manchester barely cracks 154 pleasant ones.
Manchester hosts 1.5× more events.
68/100
10% higher than Manchester
vs 62/100 in Manchester
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
0% lower than Manchester
vs 98/100 in Manchester
3
77% fewer than Manchester
vs 13 nonstops in Manchester
in the same ballpark as san luis obispo:
