with $100k coming in, swapping out of San Diego
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
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Best cities with mild winters
read the guidethe verdict
the monthly premium over San Diego
San Luis Obispo costs meaningfully more. Whether it earns that back in the day-to-day is the actual question.
a quick ledger.
$3,095/mo
7% more expensive than San Diego(vs $2,890/mo)
9.3%
vs 9.3% in San Diego
$4,463/mo
$205 less than San Diego
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
8% cheaper than San Diego
vs $1010k in San Diego
282k
vs 3.3M in San Diego
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
San Diego actually gets more: 332 pleasant days a year.
San Diego hosts 17.4× more events.
68/100
9% lower than San Diego
vs 75/100 in San Diego
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
1% lower than San Diego
vs 99/100 in San Diego
3
95% fewer than San Diego
vs 55 nonstops in San Diego
neighbors of san luis obispo on the map of tradeoffs:
