CostIndexUSA

Pocatello, ID vs San Luis Obispo, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableID
Pocatello
88.9
overall index
$1,075/mo rent
CA
San Luis Obispo
108.6
overall index
$3,000/mo rent

Pocatello is significantly cheaper than San Luis Obispo — 22.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Pocatello, you would need $97,700 in San Luis Obispo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+117.5%
Pocatello
66.4
San Luis Obispo
144.4
🛒 Groceries+9.4%
Pocatello
96.2
San Luis Obispo
105.2
🚗 Transportation+1.3%
Pocatello
103.9
San Luis Obispo
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.4%
Pocatello
94
San Luis Obispo
95.3
Utilities+111.7%
Pocatello
69.8
San Luis Obispo
147.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Pocatello 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
$97,700
$17,700 more needed in San Luis Obispo

Formula: salary × (108.6 ÷ 88.9) = salary × 1.2216. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Pocatello, ID

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
66.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.3×

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 117.5% higher housing costs compared to Pocatello.

Income & Job Market

Pocatello, ID

Median Household Income
$68,500
Per Capita Income
$39,000
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
Population
56,606
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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).

Pocatello, ID
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% 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.