on $100k a year, leaving Mobile
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 Mobile ran you
A real premium for San Luis Obispo. Worth it only if the city itself is the whole point.
a quick ledger.
$3,095/mo
138% more expensive than Mobile(vs $1,302/mo)
9.3%
$358/mo more in state tax than Mobile
vs 5% in Mobile
$4,463/mo
$2,152 less than Mobile
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
382% more expensive than Mobile
vs $194k in Mobile
282k
vs 412k in Mobile
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Mobile keeps to 225 pleasant days a year.
Lighter on events: Mobile packs 2.4× more into a month.
68/100
15% higher than Mobile
vs 59/100 in Mobile
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
42% higher than Mobile
vs 69/100 in Mobile
3
40% fewer than Mobile
vs 5 nonstops in Mobile
neighbors of san luis obispo on the map of tradeoffs:
