CostIndexUSA

Atlantic City, NJ vs San Luis Obispo, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNJ
Atlantic City
98.9
overall index
$2,225/mo rent
CA
San Luis Obispo
108.6
overall index
$3,000/mo rent

Atlantic City is moderately cheaper than San Luis Obispo — 9.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlantic City, you would need $87,800 in San Luis Obispo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+46.3%
Atlantic City
98.7
San Luis Obispo
144.4
🛒 Groceries+5.4%
Atlantic City
99.8
San Luis Obispo
105.2
🚗 Transportation+2.4%
Atlantic City
102.8
San Luis Obispo
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.5%
Atlantic City
93
San Luis Obispo
95.3
Utilities+35.3%
Atlantic City
109.2
San Luis Obispo
147.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Atlantic City 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
$87,800
$7,800 more needed in San Luis Obispo

Formula: salary × (108.6 ÷ 98.9) = salary × 1.0981. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlantic City, NJ

Median Home Price
$369,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,225
Housing Index
98.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.8×

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 46.3% higher housing costs compared to Atlantic City.

Income & Job Market

Atlantic City, NJ

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
6%
Population
38,497
Top Industries
GamingTourismHealthcareHospitalityRetail

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).

Atlantic City, NJ
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.