with $100k coming in, swapping out of Wilmington

change
San Luis Obispo, CA cityscape

instead of wilmington

San Luis Obispo

ca · metro 282k

a 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.

metro282k

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$1,820

more expensive each month than Wilmington

A real premium for San Luis Obispo. Worth it only if the city itself is the whole point.
landable, recorded on the san luis obispo entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$3,095/mo

85% more expensive than Wilmington(vs $1,675/mo)

02state income tax

9.3%

$400/mo more in state tax than Wilmington

vs 4.5% in Wilmington

03after rent

$4,463/mo

$1,820 less than Wilmington

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$934k

109% more expensive than Wilmington

vs $448k in Wilmington

05metro size

282k

vs 467k in Wilmington

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

303

pleasant days a year, in san luis obispo.

Wilmington keeps to 235 pleasant days a year.

50% fewer events than Wilmington. The pace eases up.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

68/100

26% higher than Wilmington

vs 54/100 in Wilmington

Closest outdoor draw: Montaña de Oro State Park, 6.7 mi.

·walk score®

98/100

46% higher than Wilmington

vs 67/100 in Wilmington

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

3

40% fewer than Wilmington

vs 5 nonstops in Wilmington

04 · see also

neighbors of san luis obispo on the map of tradeoffs:

compare san luis obispo with: