Is it expensive to live in SLO?

San Luis Obispo Cost of Living Index (COLI) San Luis Obispo is expensive, even for California. The San Luis Obispo cost of living index (COLI) is 164 which makes it 64% more expensive than the national average. By comparison, the California cost of living is 50% higher than the national average.

What is the average electric bill in San Luis Obispo?

Monthly electric bills are a product of how much electricity you use per month and your electric rate. In San Luis Obispo, CA, the average monthly electric bill for residential customers is $327/month, which is calculated by multiplying the average monthly consumption by the average electric rate: 870 kWh * 38 ¢/kWh.

Where is the cheapest place to live in San Luis Obispo?

Is San Luis Obispo a rich town?

SLO County ranks highly in overall wealth, but income lags behind. San Luis Obispo County's overall wealth ranked 33rd nationally and 15th in the state of California, SmartAsset's analysis found. The site determined overall wealth by measuring three metrics: investment income, property value and median income.

Why is San Luis Obispo so expensive?

Expensive San Luis Obispo real estate is the biggest factor that makes SLO an expensive place to live. The median price for San Luis Obispo homes for sale is $882,000 according to Redfin. That's up 18.9% year-over-year. Housing is in short supply in this hot market where homes sell after 7 median days on market.

PROS and CONS of living in San Luis Obispo

Is SLO the happiest city in America?

The city was named the “happiest place in America” by Dan Buettner in his 2010 book “Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way,” which describes how to live a long and happy life. However, in Buettner's 2017 list of happiest places published by National Geographic, San Luis Obispo dropped to No. 5.

Why is it so expensive to buy a house in San Luis Obispo?

There were factors that kept demand high locally, however, Sweasey said, including remote work. “This was huge and was one of the factors in the massive increase in home sales and price increases in SLO County in the last 2.5 years,” Sweasey said. That swing was not unique to SLO County.

Why do people move to San Luis Obispo?

SLO offers a great quality of life with a charming downtown, a small-town feel, and a more laid-back lifestyle. The city may be small, but it offers plenty of nightlife and it's heaven for outdoor enthusiasts. Here's what you'll love about living in SLO, California.

What is the quality of life in San Luis Obispo?

It's super close to the ocean but not too close. SLO has a chill vibe that can be nice for retirement. However, it's also a college town so there is always stuff going on. Its a nice and relaxing college town with a lot of good restaurants and an incredible farmers market that happens every Thursday.

What is middle class in San Luis Obispo County?

In San Luis Obispo County, this means households earning between about $48,000 and $144,000 are situated solidly in the middle class. This assumes a household size of three people, the national average — smaller households would require less to count as middle class, and larger require more.

How much can I raise rent in San Luis Obispo County?

"As of Aug. 1, 2022, the most a protected tenant's rent can increase in SLO County is 10 percent above the previous rent. Rent can't be increased more than two times per year and the total increase can't go up over 10 percent.

What is the average electric bill for a 1 bedroom apartment in Los Angeles?

Utilities are not a major expense in Los Angeles. In fact, electricity for a mid-sized, one-bedroom apartment cost approximately $101 per month, which is slightly less than the national average at approximately $110 per month. Phone and internet services vary by plan, but typical rates are around $192 per month.

Is there a homeless problem in San Luis Obispo?

San Luis Obispo County has the third largest percentage of unsheltered homeless individuals nationwide compared to similar-sized communities. Nearly 400 city residents are experiencing homelessness — 248 unsheltered and 137 sheltered.

What is crime like in San Luis Obispo?

San Luis Obispo Crime Rate FAQ

The San Luis Obispo crime rate is 4,043 crimes per 100,000 people with 3,641 property crimes and 402 violent crimes per 100,000. The national average crime rate is 2,896 crimes per 100,000.

Is San Luis Obispo a happy place to live?

San Luis Obispo has been 'happiest' for years

List compilers who've lauded SLO's happiness ratings through the years have included such notables as Oprah Winfrey and her WOW Network, Reader's Digest, Outside Magazine, Coastal Living Magazine and a two-year Gallup/Sharecare study.

Is San Luis Obispo a fun place to live?

It's super close to the ocean but not too close. SLO has a chill vibe that can be nice for retirement. However, it's also a college town so there is always stuff going on. Great place to live, and cheap enough housing if you look.

Is San Luis Obispo affordable?

San Luis Obispo County is currently one of the least affordable places to buy a home in the United States. According to a report by the National Association of Home Builders, only 19 percent of families can afford to purchase the median priced home in the county.

What did Oprah say about San Luis Obispo?

The Oprah Show says San Luis Obispo, California is America's Happiest City, citing urban planning decisions like making the town pedestrian-friendly with wide sidewalks and limiting fast food drive-throughs.

How far is SLO from the beach?

So how far is San Luis Obispo from the ocean, anyway? Many nearby beaches are within 10 to 20 minutes of SLO, including Avila Beach, Pismo Beach and Morro Bay.

Is San Luis Obispo a blue zone?

A recent book from the National Geographic, Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way, has named the quiet California city of San Luis Obispo as the Happiest City in the United States.