with $100k coming in, swapping out of Tampa
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
read the guideof 10
Best small cities to live in
read the guideof 10
Best cities to escape the heat
read the guideof 10
Best cities for outdoor athletes
read the guideof 10
Best cities with year-round outdoor weather
read the guideof 10
Best cities for cyclists
read the guideof 10
Best cities to live in California
read the guideof 10
Best cities for foodies
read the guideof 10
Best cities for dog owners
read the guideof 10
Best cities with mild winters
read the guidethe verdict
more expensive each month than Tampa
A real premium for San Luis Obispo. Worth it only if the city itself is the whole point.
a quick ledger.
$3,095/mo
55% more expensive than Tampa(vs $1,996/mo)
9.3%
$775/mo more in state tax than Tampa
vs 0% in Tampa
$4,463/mo
$1,874 less than Tampa
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$934k
150% more expensive than Tampa
vs $374k in Tampa
282k
vs 3.3M in Tampa
field notes, weather & such.
303
pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.
Tampa keeps to 243 pleasant days a year.
79% fewer events than Tampa. The pace eases up.
68/100
10% higher than Tampa
vs 62/100 in Tampa
Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.
98/100
7% higher than Tampa
vs 92/100 in Tampa
3
96% fewer than Tampa
vs 68 nonstops in Tampa
same energy as san luis obispo, different zip code:
