$100k salary, packing up from Salem
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.
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read the guidethe verdict
the monthly cost of moving past Salem
A real premium for San Luis Obispo. Worth it only if the city itself is the whole point.
a quick ledger.
$3,095/mo
88% more expensive than Salem(vs $1,642/mo)
9.3%
$46/mo more in state tax than Salem
vs 8.75% in Salem
$4,463/mo
$1,499 less than Salem
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
107% more expensive than Salem
vs $452k in Salem
282k
vs 437k in Salem
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Salem only manages 201 of those.
Nights and weekends fill up faster. 10.0× more on the calendar than Salem.
68/100
1% lower than Salem
vs 69/100 in Salem
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
11% higher than Salem
vs 88/100 in Salem
3
0% fewer than Salem
vs 0 nonstops in Salem
neighbors of san luis obispo on the map of tradeoffs:
