| Index | San Luis Obispo | California | National |
| Cost of living | 174 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 112 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 311 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 117 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 113 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 124 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 128 | 127 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in San Luis Obispo? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in San Luis Obispo stands at 174, making it 74% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in San Luis Obispo is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, San Luis Obispo falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in San Luis Obispo, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 211.1% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 35 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in San Luis Obispo. The results indicated that 26% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 74% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Wondering if San Luis Obispo is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In San Luis Obispo, for example, the median home price is 271.9% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 69.2% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with San Luis Obispo boasting a median household income of $87,517, which is 7.6% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In San Luis Obispo, the general sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and income tax rates begin at 1%.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In San Luis Obispo, the transportation index is 17.1% higher than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In San Luis Obispo, the housing index is 211.1% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for San Luis Obispo shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $144,458 | $12,038 | $3,370 | $4,334 |
| Renters | $57,308 | $4,776 | $1,337 | $1,719 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Oceano, CA | 7,820 | 137 | 37.1% |
| Santa Margarita, CA | 1,050 | 146 | 45.8% |
| Grover Beach, CA | 13,974 | 157 | 57.0% |
| Los Osos, CA | 16,776 | 164 | 64.3% |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 18,441 | 166 | 66.0% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 49,128 | 174 | 73.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Monroe, LA | 49,123 | 92 | 7.5% |
| Glenview, IL | 49,038 | 145 | 45.3% |
| Dublin, OH | 49,030 | 124 | 24.1% |
| East Honolulu, HI | 49,017 | 226 | 125.6% |
| Marana, AZ | 48,967 | 116 | 16.2% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 49,128 | 174 | 73.6% |
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