2025 Compare Cities Overview:
San Luis Obispo, CA vs Carlsbad, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Carlsbad older or younger than people in San Luis Obispo?
- The Median Age in Carlsbad is 16.5 years older than in San Luis Obispo.

Are housing costs cheaper in Carlsbad or San Luis Obispo?
- Carlsbad housing costs are 41.6% more expensive than San Luis Obispo housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Carlsbad or San Luis Obispo?
- The average commute for residents of Carlsbad is 12.9 minutes longer than it is for residents of San Luis Obispo.

Things to do in San Luis Obispo?
San Luis Obispo, California is located on the Central Coast and offers stunning views of rolling hills and the Pacific Ocean. It's a great place to live with its temperate climate, excellent restaurants and unique shops. Every year locals flock to the famous Thursday night Farmer’s Market or to outdoor festivals like the SLO County Fair. For outdoor activities there are plenty of parks and trails plus beaches for surfing and swimming.

Things to do in Carlsbad?
Carlsbad, California is a stunning coastal city in San Diego County that offers something for everybody. From its beautiful beaches to the bustling downtown area and vibrant art scene, Carlsbad has something to offer anyone looking to explore the city. With year-round sunny weather, plenty of outdoor activities such as surfing, kayaking and hiking, and world-class resorts and spas, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy your time here. Whether you're visiting for a day or planning to stay longer, Carlsbad will be sure to leave you with lasting memories!

 San Luis Obispo, CACarlsbad, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock114,858329,725,481
 Median Income$61,862  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock42.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$932,400  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time15.16  Unlock26.38
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

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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

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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

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Reviews for Carlsbad    38 Reviews

I've lived in Carlsbad (92008) for 8 years now and really appreciate all that it has to offer. Yes, ALL of San Diego County is expensive, but Carlsbad has [possibly]  More

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Over 4 years ago

Carlson has the worst winters. It averages about 10 meters of snow per week. Every shop is  More

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Ok, I get it, the climate is mild and tolerable but even that is over-rated when you consider how many cloudy days there are in this town. The sun coming out at 3 and  More

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