CostIndexUSA

Elk Grove, CA vs San Luis Obispo, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Elk Grove
106.7
overall index
$2,200/mo rent
CA
San Luis Obispo
108.6
overall index
$3,000/mo rent

Elk Grove is slightly cheaper than San Luis Obispo — 1.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Elk Grove, you would need $81,400 in San Luis Obispo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+10.9%
Elk Grove
130.2
San Luis Obispo
144.4
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Elk Grove
105.2
San Luis Obispo
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Elk Grove
105.3
San Luis Obispo
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Elk Grove
95.3
San Luis Obispo
95.3
Utilities2.3%
Elk Grove
151.3
San Luis Obispo
147.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Elk Grove to see what you'd need to earn in San Luis Obispo to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in San Luis Obispo, CA
$81,400
$1,400 more needed in San Luis Obispo

Formula: salary × (108.6 ÷ 106.7) = salary × 1.0178. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Elk Grove, CA

Median Home Price
$566,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
130.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

San Luis Obispo, CA

Median Home Price
$880,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,000
Housing Index
144.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.4×

San Luis Obispo has 10.9% higher housing costs compared to Elk Grove.

Income & Job Market

Elk Grove, CA

Median Household Income
$95,000
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
176,124
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentRetailTechnologyEducation

San Luis Obispo, CA

Median Household Income
$90,700
Per Capita Income
$51,700
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
47,536
Top Industries
EducationTourismAgricultureHealthcareTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Elk Grove, CA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

San Luis Obispo, CA
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

60% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.