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San Luis Obispo County ranked fourth least affordable

April 18, 2026

By KAREN VELIE

While home ownership is a key part of the American dream, there is a dramatic gap between what the middle class can afford and actual home prices on the Central Coast. San Luis Obispo County is ranked the fourth least affordable county in the United States.

In SLO County, major monthly home expenses consumed 89.7% of a typical residents’ wages during the first quarter of 2026, according to ATTOM.

The top 25 most unaffordable counties in the United States include 14 in California.

Kings County, New York leads as the most unaffordable county with 108.6% of a residents income needed for major monthly expenses. The next four unaffordable counties are in California: Santa Cruz County with 97.1% of residents typical wages, Marin County with 91.1%, SLO County with 89.7%  and Orange County with 88.1%.

 


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But, that’s NORMAL.


Santa Cruz, with it’s mild weather, beautiful mountains, storied beaches, and eclectic inhabitants, is highly attractive to big city people, with money, to live in a place that’s not the big city……until they bring the big city with them.


Marin, with it’s mild weather, incredible bay views, glorious redwood covered mountains, and a coastline like no other in the state, is highly attractive to big city people, with money, to live in a place that’s not the big city….until they bring the big city with them.


Orange, with it’s mild weather, fantastic mountains, some of the worlds most famous beaches, Disneyland, Angels baseball, the industrial heart of the state, and the majority of residents politically right leaning, is highly attractive to big city people, with money, to escape from heavily socialist parts of the state that want to take their money…until they bring the socialism with them.


San Luis Obispo, with it’s mild weather, beautiful valleys surrounded by wonderful mountain ranges, one of the world’s most famous beach, among other beaches that are also “world class”, centrally located to travel to many national and state parks, monuments, and wilderness areas, is highly attractive to big city people, with money, to live in a place that is not the big city….until they bring the big city with them.


Now, let’s ponder what could be the common denominator….


12

The sweetest wells are the first to run dry – Lao Tzu


12

Don’t forget that the county and cities of SLO laugh at the common man while shoveling money into the pockets of the hordes illegals, homeless, and NGOs


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