same $100k income, fresh start from Spokane
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 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
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Best cities with year-round outdoor weather
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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
more expensive each month than Spokane
San Luis Obispo costs noticeably more than Spokane. You'd be paying for San Luis Obispo itself, not for breathing room around it.
a quick ledger.
$3,095/mo
104% more expensive than Spokane(vs $1,520/mo)
9.3%
$775/mo more in state tax than Spokane
vs 0% in Spokane
$4,463/mo
$2,350 less than Spokane
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
122% more expensive than Spokane
vs $420k in Spokane
282k
vs 600k in Spokane
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Spokane only manages 164 of those.
But the calendar thins out: Spokane stays 3.7× busier.
68/100
16% lower than Spokane
vs 81/100 in Spokane
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
8% higher than Spokane
vs 91/100 in Spokane
3
70% fewer than Spokane
vs 10 nonstops in Spokane
cities that play in san luis obispo's register:
