CostIndexUSA

San Luis Obispo, CA vs Twin Falls, ID Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
San Luis Obispo
108.6
overall index
$3,000/mo rent
More AffordableID
Twin Falls
92.1
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Twin Falls is significantly cheaper than San Luis Obispo — 15.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in San Luis Obispo, you would need $67,800 in Twin Falls. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing48.9%
San Luis Obispo
144.4
Twin Falls
73.8
🛒 Groceries8.6%
San Luis Obispo
105.2
Twin Falls
96.2
🚗 Transportation1.3%
San Luis Obispo
105.3
Twin Falls
103.9
🏥 Healthcare1.4%
San Luis Obispo
95.3
Twin Falls
94
Utilities52.6%
San Luis Obispo
147.8
Twin Falls
70

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Twin Falls, ID
$67,800
$12,200 less needed in Twin Falls

Formula: salary × (92.1 ÷ 108.6) = salary × 0.8481. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

San Luis Obispo, CA

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

Twin Falls, ID

Median Home Price
$371,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

San Luis Obispo has 48.9% lower housing costs compared to Twin Falls.

Income & Job Market

San Luis Obispo, CA

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

Twin Falls, ID

Median Household Income
$66,100
Per Capita Income
$37,700
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
Population
50,085
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

60% of income left after rent (median)

Twin Falls, ID
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.