Cost of living index
San Luis Obispo, CA
108.6 / 100
Living in San Luis Obispo, CA is 8.6% more expensive than the US average.
Overall prices
108.6
Housing / rent
144.4
vs US average
+8.6%
What it costs to live in San Luis Obispo, CA
San Luis Obispo, CA has an overall price level of 108.6 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 8.6% higher than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 144.4 it is 44.4% above the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is San Luis Obispo, CA an expensive place to live?
San Luis Obispo, CA has an overall cost-of-living index of 108.6, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 8.6% more expensive than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in San Luis Obispo, CA?
Housing in San Luis Obispo, CA scores 144.4 against a US average of 100 — roughly 44.4% above average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does San Luis Obispo, CA compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in San Luis Obispo, CA sit at 108.6 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 144.4. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.