2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Scotts Valley, CA vs San Luis Obispo, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Luis Obispo or is it cheaper to live in Scotts Valley?
- San Luis Obispo is 21.5% less expensive than Scotts Valley.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Luis Obispo or Scotts Valley?
- San Luis Obispo housing costs are 29.6% less expensive than Scotts Valley housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Scotts Valley or is Health Care more affordable in San Luis Obispo.
- Health related expenses are 0.3% less in San Luis Obispo.
 Scotts Valley, CASan Luis Obispo, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock146.1100
 Food & Groceries112.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock108.9100
 Housing401.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$932,400$338,100
 Utilities103  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock83.8100
 Miscellaneous156.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Scotts Valley    4 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

We lived and worked in Scotts Valley for a number of years. It's a nice enough city, safe and clean unlike some areas of Santa Cruz. It's well managed and the schools  More

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Over 7 years ago

Great weather and small town feel but it is changing rapidly  More

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Over 11 years ago

Scotts Valley is an ideal, small town with many wonderful features. It's just 10 minutes from the beaches in nearby Santa Cruz yet doesn't get the wet fog because it's  More

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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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