CostIndexUSA

San Luis Obispo, CA vs Wichita Falls, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
San Luis Obispo
108.6
overall index
$3,000/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Wichita Falls
89.5
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Wichita Falls is significantly cheaper than San Luis Obispo — 17.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in San Luis Obispo, you would need $65,900 in Wichita Falls. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing52.8%
San Luis Obispo
144.4
Wichita Falls
68.2
🛒 Groceries10.8%
San Luis Obispo
105.2
Wichita Falls
93.8
🚗 Transportation4.0%
San Luis Obispo
105.3
Wichita Falls
101.1
🏥 Healthcare4.1%
San Luis Obispo
95.3
Wichita Falls
91.4
Utilities43.1%
San Luis Obispo
147.8
Wichita Falls
84.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wichita Falls, TX
$65,900
$14,100 less needed in Wichita Falls

Formula: salary × (89.5 ÷ 108.6) = salary × 0.8241. 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×

Wichita Falls, TX

Median Home Price
$167,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
68.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

San Luis Obispo has 52.8% lower housing costs compared to Wichita 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

Wichita Falls, TX

Median Household Income
$63,500
Per Capita Income
$36,200
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Population
104,553
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Wichita Falls, TX
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.