CICostIndexUSA

San Luis Obispo, CA vs Springfield, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
San Luis Obispo
108.6
overall index
$2,875/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Springfield
88.6
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Springfield is significantly cheaper than San Luis Obispo — 18.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in San Luis Obispo, you would need $65,300 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing54.6%
San Luis Obispo
144.4
Springfield
65.6
🛒 Groceries10.5%
San Luis Obispo
105.2
Springfield
94.2
🚗 Transportation7.2%
San Luis Obispo
105.3
Springfield
97.7
🏥 Healthcare7.2%
San Luis Obispo
95.3
Springfield
88.4
Utilities41.9%
San Luis Obispo
147.8
Springfield
85.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MO
$65,300
$14,700 less needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (88.6 ÷ 108.6) = salary × 0.8158. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

San Luis Obispo, CA

Median Home Price
$907,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
144.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.3×

Springfield, MO

Median Home Price
$273,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
65.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

San Luis Obispo has 54.6% lower housing costs compared to Springfield.

Income & Job Market

San Luis Obispo, CA

Median Household Income
$100,700
Per Capita Income
$57,400
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
47,536
Top Industries
EducationTourismAgricultureHealthcareTechnology

Springfield, MO

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
Population
167,882
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

66% of income left after rent (median)

Springfield, MO
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.