Cost of Living in San Luis Obispo, CA

An Overview of Cost of Living in San Luis Obispo, CA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in San Luis Obispo is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in San Luis Obispo is 171, which is 71% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, San Luis Obispo may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount 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 preferences for 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 201.9% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in San Luis Obispo?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 35 locals to get their views on the cost of living in San Luis Obispo. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 26% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 74% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is San Luis Obispo Affordable?

Is San Luis Obispo affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in San Luis Obispo, the median home price is 258.6% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 69.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with San Luis Obispo boasting a median household income of $58,546, 5.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in San Luis Obispo?

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In San Luis Obispo, the groceries index is 6.6% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In San Luis Obispo, the utilities index is 56.6% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The San Luis Obispo cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.