CostIndexUSA

Philadelphia, PA vs San Luis Obispo, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Philadelphia
102.6
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
CA
San Luis Obispo
108.6
overall index
$3,000/mo rent

Philadelphia is moderately cheaper than San Luis Obispo — 5.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Philadelphia, you would need $84,700 in San Luis Obispo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+27.7%
Philadelphia
113.1
San Luis Obispo
144.4
🛒 Groceries+8.7%
Philadelphia
96.8
San Luis Obispo
105.2
🚗 Transportation2.7%
Philadelphia
108.2
San Luis Obispo
105.3
🏥 Healthcare2.7%
Philadelphia
97.9
San Luis Obispo
95.3
Utilities+29.2%
Philadelphia
114.4
San Luis Obispo
147.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Philadelphia 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
$84,700
$4,700 more needed in San Luis Obispo

Formula: salary × (108.6 ÷ 102.6) = salary × 1.0585. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Philadelphia, PA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
113.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8×

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 27.7% higher housing costs compared to Philadelphia.

Income & Job Market

Philadelphia, PA

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
1,603,797
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTourismManufacturing

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).

Philadelphia, PA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.