CostIndexUSA

Grand Junction, CO vs San Luis Obispo, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCO
Grand Junction
95.5
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
CA
San Luis Obispo
108.6
overall index
$3,000/mo rent

Grand Junction is moderately cheaper than San Luis Obispo — 13.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Grand Junction, you would need $91,000 in San Luis Obispo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+67.1%
Grand Junction
86.4
San Luis Obispo
144.4
🛒 Groceries+9.5%
Grand Junction
96.1
San Luis Obispo
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Grand Junction
104.8
San Luis Obispo
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Grand Junction
94.8
San Luis Obispo
95.3
Utilities+77.4%
Grand Junction
83.3
San Luis Obispo
147.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Grand Junction 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
$91,000
$11,000 more needed in San Luis Obispo

Formula: salary × (108.6 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 1.1372. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Home Price
$418,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.2×

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 67.1% higher housing costs compared to Grand Junction.

Income & Job Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Household Income
$64,700
Per Capita Income
$36,900
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
64,785
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAgricultureRetailGovernment

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).

Grand Junction, CO
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.