on $100k a year, leaving Santa Rosa
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
more each month than Santa Rosa ran you
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
19% more expensive than Santa Rosa(vs $2,597/mo)
9.3%
vs 9.3% in Santa Rosa
$4,463/mo
$498 less than Santa Rosa
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
14% more expensive than Santa Rosa
vs $817k in Santa Rosa
282k
vs 482k in Santa Rosa
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Santa Rosa keeps to 254 pleasant days a year.
A real upgrade on things to do: 10.0× Santa Rosa's pace.
68/100
1% lower than Santa Rosa
vs 69/100 in Santa Rosa
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
0% lower than Santa Rosa
vs 98/100 in Santa Rosa
3
25% fewer than Santa Rosa
vs 4 nonstops in Santa Rosa
neighbors of san luis obispo on the map of tradeoffs:
