2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Portland, OR vs San Luis Obispo, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Luis Obispo or is it cheaper to live in Portland?
- San Luis Obispo is 14.4% more expensive than Portland.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Luis Obispo or Portland?
- San Luis Obispo housing costs are 53.7% more expensive than Portland housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Portland or is Health Care more affordable in San Luis Obispo.
- Health related expenses are 20.2% more in San Luis Obispo.
 Portland, ORSan Luis Obispo, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock146.1100
 Food & Groceries103.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock108.9100
 Housing184.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$932,400$338,100
 Utilities80  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock83.8100
 Miscellaneous140.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Portland    386 Reviews

I lived in Portland for 19 years (I've also lived in Boise, ID, the Bay Area, Austin, TX and now Nampa, ID). It drives me nuts when people try to give a large city a  More

   |    Reply

One of the best cities in America. Food scene is the best in the world. Weather is preferable over places where you have the same weather year round. I enjoy the  More

   |    Reply

I moved from Houston to Portland about a year ago. I remember reading the reviews on here and it making me second guess moving before I did, so I wanted to come back and  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Portland

Reviews for San Luis Obispo    21 Reviews

MY FIANCEE AND I ARE LOOKING TO MOVE TO SLO FOR RETIREMENT ( NEXT MONTH ) WE ARE BOTH ARTISTS AND HOPE OUR TALENT WILL HELP WITH COST OF LIVING IN SLO!!! ANY  More

   |    Reply

Over 10 years ago

In almost any season of the year in San Luis Obispo, you’ll find the sun shining and the temperature hitting around 70º at some point in the day. With the temperature  More

   |    Reply

San Luis Obispo and surrounding areas are beautiful, great weather, beaches, farms markets, a downtown area full of some of the best bars and restaurants, wine country,  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Luis Obispo


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.