01 · the cities
San Luis Obispo
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.
full dispatch→Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs sits at the foot of Pikes Peak (which inspired America the Beautiful), with the Garden of the Gods' red rock formations rising on the city's western edge. The Air Force Academy chapel is one of the most striking pieces of modernist religious architecture in the country. It's drier and sunnier than people expect, with strong evangelical and military communities shaping the city's character. Outdoorsy in a quiet way.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,095/mo
$1,733/mo
$1,362/mo less than San Luis Obispo (79%)
Median home price
Median home price
$934k
$463k
$472k less than San Luis Obispo
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
4.4%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,463/mo
$6,234/mo
Colorado Springs has $1,771/mo more gross after rent at $100k
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
303 days
184 days
119 fewer than San Luis Obispo
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
14 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
75 days
days below 20°F per year
San Luis Obispo has 14 more days above 95°F each year than Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs drops below 20°F on 75 more days per year than San Luis Obispo.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
68 / 100
71 / 100
3.0 pts ahead of San Luis Obispo
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
3 routes
11 routes
8 more direct routes than San Luis Obispo
Metro size
Metro size
282k metro
769k metro
San Luis Obispo has 4.3x fewer events per month than Colorado Springs.
the verdict
2
San Luis Obispo
categories won
7
Colorado Springs
categories won
Colorado Springs wins on money and lifestyle. San Luis Obispo has the edge on weather.
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