CostIndexUSA

Bangor, ME vs San Luis Obispo, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableME
Bangor
96.5
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
CA
San Luis Obispo
108.6
overall index
$3,000/mo rent

Bangor is moderately cheaper than San Luis Obispo — 12.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bangor, you would need $90,000 in San Luis Obispo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+85.8%
Bangor
77.7
San Luis Obispo
144.4
🛒 Groceries+8.2%
Bangor
97.2
San Luis Obispo
105.2
🚗 Transportation2.9%
Bangor
108.4
San Luis Obispo
105.3
🏥 Healthcare2.8%
Bangor
98
San Luis Obispo
95.3
Utilities+9.6%
Bangor
134.8
San Luis Obispo
147.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Bangor 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
$90,000
$10,000 more needed in San Luis Obispo

Formula: salary × (108.6 ÷ 96.5) = salary × 1.1254. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bangor, ME

Median Home Price
$265,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
77.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.2×

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 85.8% higher housing costs compared to Bangor.

Income & Job Market

Bangor, ME

Median Household Income
$66,300
Per Capita Income
$37,800
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
Population
31,753
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationRetailManufacturingGovernment

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).

Bangor, ME
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.