same $100k income, fresh start from Portland
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
pricier each month than Portland
San Luis Obispo costs noticeably more than Portland. You'd be paying for San Luis Obispo itself, not for breathing room around it.
a quick ledger.
$3,095/mo
74% more expensive than Portland(vs $1,781/mo)
9.3%
$46/mo more in state tax than Portland
vs 8.75% in Portland
$4,463/mo
$1,360 less than Portland
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
66% more expensive than Portland
vs $562k in Portland
282k
vs 2.5M in Portland
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Portland only manages 178 of those.
Portland hosts 12.3× more events.
68/100
22% lower than Portland
vs 87/100 in Portland
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
2% lower than Portland
vs 100/100 in Portland
3
95% fewer than Portland
vs 57 nonstops in Portland
in the same ballpark as san luis obispo:
