same $100k income, fresh start from Spartanburg
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 year-round outdoor weather
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Best cities with mild winters
read the guidethe verdict
pricier each month than Spartanburg
A real premium for San Luis Obispo. Worth it only if the city itself is the whole point.
a quick ledger.
$3,095/mo
116% more expensive than Spartanburg(vs $1,434/mo)
9.3%
$233/mo more in state tax than Spartanburg
vs 6.5% in Spartanburg
$4,463/mo
$1,895 less than Spartanburg
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
237% more expensive than Spartanburg
vs $277k in Spartanburg
282k
vs 383k in Spartanburg
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Spartanburg only manages 191 of those.
Spartanburg hosts 1.5× more events.
68/100
0% lower than Spartanburg
vs 68/100 in Spartanburg
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
27% higher than Spartanburg
vs 77/100 in Spartanburg
3
85% fewer than Spartanburg
vs 20 nonstops in Spartanburg
same energy as san luis obispo, different zip code:
